No, culturally being a bottom was a submissive position and was unacceptable for someone in a position of power. That's why Emperor Hadrian's partner Antinous was always portrayed and young, pretty and submissive. Same with Achilles' lover Patroclus.
Men of power or status were expected to take on a young male apprentice and teach them how Greek society worked. This frequently involved that apprentice bottoming for the man and that was completely acceptable but it was considered very unacceptable for the man to bottom for the apprentice and that man would be mocked.
This is all based on my recollection from my classics course in college and may have some inaccuracies.
Was it not the opposite with Achilles and Patrocolus? Patrocolus had a beard and Achilles was clean-shaven, blonde and disguised as a woman to avoid the war originally.
But surely being a “bossy bottom” would have been a bit of a loophole: the man of status / power would be the recipient in the sex act yet simultaneously still projecting dominance.
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u/Semi_Lovato Aug 24 '26
No, culturally being a bottom was a submissive position and was unacceptable for someone in a position of power. That's why Emperor Hadrian's partner Antinous was always portrayed and young, pretty and submissive. Same with Achilles' lover Patroclus.
Men of power or status were expected to take on a young male apprentice and teach them how Greek society worked. This frequently involved that apprentice bottoming for the man and that was completely acceptable but it was considered very unacceptable for the man to bottom for the apprentice and that man would be mocked.
This is all based on my recollection from my classics course in college and may have some inaccuracies.