Abstract

A great diversity of gender expressions has been present throughout time and space. This type of gender fluidity and non-conforming performance is even seen in ancient Rome. My present examples include the followers of the Anatolian mother goddess, Cybele, and literary characters in Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Apuleius’ The Golden Ass. What is the appropriate terminology to describe these individuals’ expressions of gender? Some scholars believe the proper terminology lies in modern Western terms of queer gender, such as “transgender,” “trans,” and “non-binary.” Is this how we should refer to them?

In this Independent Study, I argue that scholars should not apply these presentist labels onto ancient Romans because modern Western understandings of gender do not map cleanly onto ancient Rome. To support this argument, I utilize agency theory and queer theory to emphasize the importance of recognizing sociocultural contexts when making interpretations about the past. Likewise, I conduct content analysis on a sample of the scholarship that applies these modern terms, and I find that this imposition not only takes agency away from the subjects of study, but that it also neglects emic understandings of Roman gender constructions.

Advisor

Navarro-Farr, Olivia

Second Advisor

Foster, Edith

Department

Archaeology; Classical Studies

Disciplines

Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity | Arts and Humanities | Classics | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Keywords

gender non-conformity, transgender, queer, queer theory, agency theory, galli, Caeneus, Iphis, modern West

Publication Date

2024

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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