Explanation: Romans, unlike some Greek sources, did not find a small penis to be attractive - but an overly large penis was considered comical and barbaric. I suppose the “I’m perfectly average!” was the real mating call of the Roman man.
Also, going down on a woman was considered emasculating. Nonetheless; it was acknowledged as often happening (and used as an insult), and male prostitutes are recorded advertising their prices for cunnilingus.
No wonder the empire fell. Geesh. Bunch of prudes if you ask me.
Roman standards on sexuality were very weird to modern eyes. A lot of it is tied up in power dynamics, which the Romans were obsessed with.
At the same time, Romans were a very sexual culture, especially in contrast to later Christian European cultures. A large penis was comical - but also was considered a symbol of good luck! So you get things like penis pendants and furniture with legs made to look like dicks. This little bit in particular is a VERY NSFW bell-holder. Brothels would advertise themselves with big ol’ dicks outside, or in the stone streets. Graffiti includes both crudely drawn pornography as well as such gems as “Don’t perform oral sex on women against the city wall like a dog!” and “So-and-so is an excellent dick-sucker”. Wealthy Roman houses are positively covered in pornographic drawings - including ‘emasculating’ sex positions - and the same with vases, mosaics, bas-relief, even coins.
It’s a strange dynamic!
Oh! My! Gods! (Read that in Janice’s voice, because that’s how it sounds in my head)
I have never wanted something so deranged and gaudy, yet simply superb, in my entire life.
