According to Greek lore, Philaenis was a woman author who wrote a treatise on erotic arts. Because of this, the name Philaenis was used for a stock character of a woman who exceeded Greco-Roman gender roles. Whether she showed excessive lust, same-sex desire, or had children out of wedlock, the name Philaenis was used as an umbrella-term to cover these "unladylike" behaviors.
recte, quam [viseris], vocas "amicam."
--Martial, Epig. VII.70
Philaenis, everyone's favorite lesbian,
you call the girls you date your [girl]friend--and rightly so!
[Martial is using a double entendre here, as amica can mean female friend or "friend with benefits."]
Disclaimer: this text has been modified to fit the scope of this blog. The main verb of the relative clause has been changed into a less severe alternative. Considering the scarcity of women's perspectives in Latin literature, I felt it was important to include this passage despite the language it uses.
MARTIAL
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MAP:
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Name: Marcus Valerius Martialis
Date: 40 CE – 104 CE
Works: Epigrammaton
Libri XV*
De
Spectaculis
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REGION 2 (Hispania)
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BIO:
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Timeline:
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Originally from Bilbilis, Hispania, the poet Martial moved to Rome in
the 60s CE to advance his career. His two extant works include de
Spectaculis, a collection of poems written to commemorate the opening of
the Colosseum, and a fifteen volume collection of epigrams. These epigrams
provide valuable insight into the mores and private lives of men and
women from all of the city’s social classes.
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SILVER AGE ROME
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