Homoeroticism in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Acts, Identities, CulturesChristianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, by John Boswell
Mathew Kuefler
John Boswell’s Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality was published in 1980. It sparked immediate controversy because of its claims about the general tolerance toward homoeroticism among ancient Romans, early Christians, peoples High Middle Ages. Most notably, he asserted that there were “gay persons” who lived these societies distant past part sometimes vibrant subcultures.” The book helped to establish field LGBTQ history. Scholars after Boswell have challenged, refined, expanded his ideas, but remains starting point for most explorations queer desires medieval large number books articles been last forty years on sources topics first brought light demonstrates lasting impact work.
The American Historical Review