An online lecture by Dr. Ann Macy Roth (New York University)

Thursday, April 29, 6:00 PM

This online program will be held via ZOOM.
Click HERE to register for this event.

Note that the images presented with the talk will include several that depict naked humans and sexual intercourse.

The purpose of erotic art would seem to be obvious, and therefore most Egyptologists have assumed that it is intended for private male entertainment and stimulation. For the most part, erotic images and objects have been assumed to be a feature of the Graeco-Roman period, resulting from the influence of those sex-obsessed Greeks and Romans. There are earlier works of erotica, some of which have been repressed to shield modern sensibilities. The single piece of erotica that has drawn the most attention, however, dates to the New Kingdom period, and probably comes from Deir el-Medina: the Turin Erotic Papyrus (Turin 55001). The section of the papyrus that depicts twelve scenes of (mostly) copulating couples has been the source of many and varied interpretations. This talk will review, contrast, and reconsider several studies of this papyrus, particularly Alexandra von Lieven’s very convincing 2003 article, and argue for the possibility that the scenes were intended to entertain and arouse a female rather than a male viewer. This possibility, which is part of a larger theory of ancient Egyptian gender roles, explains several of its more puzzling characteristics. Consideration of several related works of Egyptian art will illustrate the argument that the Turin papyrus is part of a larger complex of erotic objects and images, which may have far predated the New Kingdom.