Oral sex (fellatio) has been used for many purposes throughout history. It has been a source of pleasure for some and a tool to establish dominance over others.
Regardless of its purpose, oral sex can be an enjoyable and intimate experience for both partners. However, it has also been a taboo practice in many cultures.
Ancient Egyptians
Blowjobs have been a staple in the bedroom for over two millennia. But did you know they have a rich and diverse history?
Egyptian erotic art is filled with images of sexual acts and phalluses. They even believed radishes had aphrodisiac properties and that lettuce emitted a milky sap similar to semen.
In ancient Egypt, oral sex was often associated with female fertility and fertility gods. But the Egyptians also practiced sex outside of marriage and extramarital relationships were common among royal families and noblemen.
During the time of Akhenaten, for example, many depictions of the royal family show Nefertiti kissing or caressing male figures. Some scholars speculate that these depictions influenced the way in which women interacted with men.
Egyptian mythology is rife with stories of incest between siblings — Seth and Isis, Shu and Tefnut, and Osiris and Isis are just a few examples. In fact, siblings ruling Egypt often married each other. Unfortunately, this led to a lot of genetic defects in children including degenerative bone diseases, cleft palates, and curved spines.
Greeks
Despite the fact that there are plenty of Greek vases depicting men penetrating women with their mouths and even more depicting women penetrating themselves with theirs, oral sex was not something to be proud of. It carried the stigma of being a degrading act because it meant that a man’s lips were unclean and therefore he was spreading germs to others. The Romans were also incredibly concerned about the purity of the mouth since it was their primary means of communication.
There was a strong emphasis on the concept of moderation and self-restraint in ancient Greece which is what the Greeks called sophrosune. This principle also extended to the sexual life where they believed that sex should be enjoyed in a safe and healthy way.
For centuries western classicists have been arguing that the ancients were sexually liberal, but according to Mr Vrissimtzis homosexuals were frowned upon, paedophiles were punished and masturbation was seen as fit only for barbarians and slaves. He adds that social pressures were such that only the bravest of men indulged in oral sex on women, because they were perceived as passive and improper.
Romans
During the 19th century, a certain group of churchgoers decided that any sex not directly related to procreation was a mortal sin. That included fellatio, petting and lesbianism. As a result, those who practiced these taboo acts were punished.
It’s important to note that the Romans believed that it was men’s duty to penetrate females, but it was another thing entirely to allow a woman to perform cunnilingus on them. The latter was a form of sexual debasement that sat somewhere below oral penetration in the hierarchy of debasement.
In general, the Romans viewed being penetrated orally as a very degrading act. This is evident in a number of literary sources, including the poem Medicamina Faciei Femineae by Ovid.
Although the Romans viewed fellatio and cunnilingus as a sinful practice, they were not as harsh on it as their Greek counterparts. This is perhaps because they viewed it as a way to demonstrate their manliness and masculinity. In addition, it was a form of self-gratification. Nevertheless, it was still considered a sinful practice. Fortunately, today, there is no such stigma attached to oral sex.
Puritans
Sarah: In the 1600s, Puritans in England and their New World colonies feared that allowing for sexual freedom would lead to wantonness and bestiality. They wanted to impose strict laws, and even make people wear symbols if they had sex out of wedlock.
This doesn’t mean the Puritans didn’t have sex; it just meant that their sex was limited to procreation. One of the rules required that couples (men and women) wore two capital letters, namely A and D, sewn onto their uppermost garments. Anyone caught without them was whipped.
Nevertheless, premarital hookups were common in Puritan Massachusetts – especially among the wealthy. Servants were less concerned about Puritan standards and often took advantage of moments when householders were away – during church or militia drills. Interestingly, there were also non-Puritans in the colony who weren’t as worried about Puritan norms and pushed sexual boundaries. A lot of this is a function of immigration patterns, though. People who come from other places bring their own cultures and norms. This helps erode traditions and push society forwards.
Americans
Oral sex is often seen as a taboo subject, but it’s important to know that it can be healthy and enjoyable. It can help to reduce stress, and it can even boost your mood by releasing endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals. It can also be a way to explore feelings of pleasure and intimacy with your partner.
Pop culture has played a major role in shaping our perception and understanding of oral sex, but it can also cause damage by reinforcing harmful stereotypes. For example, it can present oral sex as a male-centric activity or reinforce unhealthy gender roles and power dynamics. In addition, it can create unrealistic expectations and pressure to engage in oral sex.
Historically, oral sex (and particularly fellatio) was considered taboo and immoral, but as sexual freedom became more common in the Western world, it began to gain acceptance. Nowadays, many couples enjoy engaging in oral sex as a form of intimacy and sensual pleasure. It is estimated that 4 in 5 couples practice oral sex, and women are more likely to give blow jobs than men.
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