Ancient Partying

[Dayve]

It's certainly not pointless- it dramatically reduces the odds of contracting STDs.

That's really just a myth that advocates of circumcision like to tell people. Any doctor who knows his stuff will tell you that's a crock.

[Atilius]

Did someone say "ancient partying"?

...He said that he met with Socrates fresh from the bath and wearing his best pair of slippers—quite rare events with him—and asked him whither he was bound in such fine trim.

“To dinner at Agathon's,” he answered. “I evaded him and his celebrations yesterday, fearing the crowd; but I agreed to be present today...

...A few moments after, they heard the voice of Alcibiades in the forecourt, very drunken and bawling loud, to know where Agathon was, and bidding them bring him to Agathon. So he was brought into the company by the flute-girl and some others of his people supporting him: he stood at the door, crowned with a bushy wreath of ivy and violets, and wearing a great array of ribands on his head. “Good evening, sirs,” he said; “will you admit to your drinking a fellow very far gone in liquor, or shall we simply set a wreath on Agathon—which indeed is what we came for—and so away? I tell you, sir, I was hindered from getting to you yesterday; but now I am here with these ribands on my head, so that I can pull them off mine and twine them about the head of the cleverest, the handsomest, if I may speak the—see, like this! Ah, you would laugh at me because I am drunk? ...

...Reclining there, he proceeded: “Now then, gentlemen, you look sober: I cannot allow this; you must drink, and fulfil our agreement. So I appoint as president of this bout, till you have had a reasonable drink—myself. Agathon, let the boy bring me as large a goblet as you have. Ah well, do not trouble,” he said; “boy, bring me that cooler there,”— for he saw it would hold a good half-gallon and more. This he got filled to the brim, and after quaffing it off himself bade them fill up for Socrates, saying, “Against Socrates, sirs, my crafty plan is as nought. However large the bumper you order him, he will quaff it all off and never get tipsy with it.” ...

... when suddenly a great crowd of revellers arrived at the door, which they found just opened for some one who was going out. They marched straight into the party and seated themselves: the whole place was in an uproar and, losing all order, they were forced to drink a vast amount of wine...

[Cute Wolf]

Well, the most polite and using well their brain will JUST DRINK... and get their sexytime with their wifes and slaves at home... at least they are safer and doesn't transmite the STD's

[Labrat]

That's really just a myth that advocates of circumcision like to tell people. Any doctor who knows his stuff will tell you that's a crock.

Actually, the WHO is currently sponsoring circumcision in parts of Africa in an attempt to control the spread of AIDS. Apparently, the area under the foreskin is very rich in white blood cells, which serve as a stepping stone for the virus to infect the body. Removing the foreskin removes these cells. However, I understand the evidence of circumcision's efficacy is not entirely complete (but it's not my field of expertise), and in any case it only reduces the chance of infection.

[Subotan]

Yes, circumcision does allegedely help to decrease the chance of getting HIV. But HIV was not prevalent in Western Europe/Judea in 272 BC

[antisocialmunky]

HIV is thought to have only recently jumped to humans because someone raped or got raped/bitten by a chimpanzee.

[Aemilius Paulus]

HIV is thought to have only recently jumped to humans because someone raped or got raped/bitten by a chimpanzee.

Considering the infamous ape prostitutes in Africa, and the boundless lust of men, the poor non-human primates were most likely raped first. The first case among a European was a British sailor in 1952. From Congo (Zaire) I believe. Then again, apes have been rumoured to attack women with intent to have intercourse with them, although it is highly disputed and sketchy.

[Novellus]

Considering the infamous ape prostitutes in Africa, and the boundless lust of men, the poor non-human primates were most likely raped first. The first case among a European was a British sailor in 1952. From Congo (Zaire) I believe. Then again, apes have been rumoured to attack women with intent to have intercourse with them, although it is highly disputed and sketchy.

TAKE YOUR STINKING PAWS OFF ME YOU DAMNED DIRTY APE!

[gamegeek2]

Those "elite" symposia drinking/philosophical discussions often evolved into orgies as well.

And remember, the hetairai were the highest-ranking women in Greek society, and they often rose from humble backgrounds like slavery. If they had talent at pleasing men (in many different ways, dancing, talking, ****ing, partying, even just walking around in the street together) then often they could get some money and become free. Also, they were their own agents, were allowed to manage their own affairs, and their opinions were considered equally valid to those of male citizens.

Oh, and the prostitutes of Greece also had an incredible way of getting customers - they wrote "FOLLOW ME" on the bottom of their sandals, and a customer would see this, and be able to follow her (to who knows where...)