"Concubinage is an interpersonal and sexual relationship between a man and a woman in which the couple does not want or cannot enter into a full marriage."
Refers to a system of sexual and domestic partnership outside of marriage, where a man may have one or more concubines who are subordinate to his primary wife but have certain rights and privileges.
Ancient Greek and Roman views on sex and sexuality: This topic covers the various attitudes and beliefs about sex and sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome, including the roles and expectations of men and women, the institution of marriage, and the acceptance of extramarital relationships.
Concubinage in ancient China: This topic explores the role of concubines in Chinese society, including their status and rights, the reasons why men took concubines, and the impact of concubinage on women's lives.
The role of eunuchs in ancient societies: Eunuchs were castrated men who served as servants, officials, and guardians in many ancient societies. This topic examines their role in ancient gender and sexuality, including their status, power, and influence.
Homosexuality and bisexuality in ancient cultures: Many ancient societies had different attitudes toward homosexuality and bisexuality than modern Western societies. This topic explores the various ways in which ancient societies viewed same-sex relationships, including their acceptance or condemnation, the social and legal consequences of homosexuality, and the cultural and religious attitudes toward homosexuals.
Erotic art and literature in ancient cultures: Throughout history, erotic art and literature have been a means of expressing sexual desires and fantasies. This topic explores the different ways in which ancient cultures portrayed sexuality and desire, including the depiction of sexual acts and the use of symbols and imagery.
Women's roles in ancient societies: This topic examines the various ways in which women were perceived and treated in ancient societies, including their place in the family, their rights under the law, and their roles in society and politics.
Methods of contraception and birth control in ancient societies: Although ancient societies had limited knowledge of biology and medicine, they still developed various methods of contraception and birth control. This topic explores the various ways in which ancient societies tried to prevent unwanted pregnancies, including the use of herbs, incantations, and other methods.
Rituals and ceremonies surrounding sex and fertility: Many ancient cultures had elaborate rituals and ceremonies surrounding sex and fertility. This topic explores these practices and their cultural significance, including the use of fertility rites, the worship of fertility deities, and the role of sex in religious worship.
The impact of religion on gender and sexuality: Many ancient cultures had strong religious beliefs that influenced their attitudes toward gender and sexuality. This topic explores the various ways in which religion impacted ancient gender and sexuality, including religious beliefs surrounding marriage, fertility, and sexual morality.
Prostitution in ancient societies: Prostitution has been a part of human society since ancient times. This topic explores the various ways in which prostitution was practiced in ancient cultures, including the role of prostitutes in society, their rights and protections, and the cultural attitudes toward sex work.
Secondary Wives: This was a form of Concubinage where a man had multiple wives, and each wife had different levels of status and privileges. The first wife was the most important and had legal status as the primary wife, whereas secondary wives were considered concubines.
Levirate Marriage: When a man died without a child, his brother could marry his widow and produce an offspring that would inherit the deceased brother's properties and keep the family lineage intact.
Slave Concubines: Slave women were often sold and bought as concubines who were expected to serve their master sexually as well as domestically.
Temple Prostitutes: In ancient times, some temples of fertility gods or goddesses had female servants who catered to the sexual needs of the temple visitors, and they were considered sacred and divine beings.
Daoist Concubines: Some Daoist masters took young women as apprentices and used them for sexual gratification and servitude, claiming it was part of their spiritual training.
Homosexual Concubines: In some ancient societies, men had male concubines who were younger and served as their lovers and companions.
Concubinage in Royal Families: Royalty often had multiple wives and concubines, allowing them to consolidate political power and ensure the survival of the dynasty.
"A concubine could be freeborn or of slave origin, and her experience could vary tremendously according to her master's whim."
"During the Mongol conquests, both foreign royals and captured women were taken as concubines."
"Concubinage was also common in Meiji Japan as a status symbol."
"Concubinage could be practiced with women with whom marriage was considered undesirable due to the intermingling of different social groups and religions deemed as a taboo."
"Many Middle Eastern societies used concubinage for reproduction."
"The practice of a barren wife giving her husband a slave as a concubine is recorded in the Code of Hammurabi and the Bible."
"The children of such relationships would be regarded as legitimate."
"Such concubinage was also widely practiced in the premodern Muslim world, and many of the rulers of the Abbasid caliphate and the Ottoman Empire were born out of such relationships."
"Throughout Africa, from Egypt to South Africa, slave concubinage resulted in racially mixed populations."
"It referred to any extramarital sexual relationship, most often that between a wealthy or politically powerful man and a woman of low social origins kept for sexual service."
"After Christianization of Roman Empire, Christian emperors improved the status of the concubine by granting concubines and their children the sorts of property and inheritance rights usually reserved for wives."
"In European colonies and American slave plantations, single and married men entered into long-term sexual relationships with local women."
"In the Dutch East Indies, concubinage created mixed-race Indo-European communities."
"In the Judeo-Christian world, the term concubine has almost exclusively been applied to women, although a cohabiting male may also be called a concubine."
"In the 21st century, concubinage is used in some Western countries as a gender-neutral legal term to refer to cohabitation."
"Concubinage and marriage are often regarded as similar but mutually exclusive."
"Her experience could vary tremendously according to her master's whim."
"Concubinage was also common in Meiji Japan as a status symbol."
"Throughout Africa, from Egypt to South Africa, slave concubinage resulted in racially mixed populations."