Same-Sex Marriage in Renaissance Rome: Sexuality, Identity, and Community in Early Modern Europe

Gary Ferguson's Same-Sex Marriage in Renaissance Rome challenges the notion that same-sex marriage is a modern phenomenon by presenting a detailed account of a same-sex marriage trial from the 15th century. He reveals attitudes toward marriage, sex, and gender at the time and emphasizes the instability of marriage in premodern Europe.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 232 pages
\n Publication date: 15 May 2021
\n Publisher: Cornell University Press
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Based on the tenor of contemporary discussions, it would be easy to conclude that the idea of marriage between two people of the same sex is a uniquely contemporary phenomenon. However, Gary Ferguson argues in his book Same-Sex Marriage in Renaissance Rome that this is not the case. Ferguson brings the story of a same-sex marriage to life in striking detail by utilizing substantial fragments of trial transcripts. Through his research, he unearths an incredible amount of detail about the men involved, their sex lives, and how others responded to this information. This allows him to explore attitudes toward marriage, sex, and gender at the time in a comprehensive manner.

Ferguson emphasizes the instability of marriage in premodern Europe and argues that same-sex unions should be considered part of the institution's complex and contested history. He suggests that the historical context in which same-sex marriages occurred should be taken into account, as they were often seen as a way to challenge traditional gender roles and power structures. Ferguson's book provides a valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted nature of marriage and sexuality in Renaissance Rome and sheds light on the ways in which attitudes towards these issues have evolved over time.

In conclusion, while it may be easy to assume that the idea of marriage between two people of the same sex is a modern phenomenon, Gary Ferguson's book Same-Sex Marriage in Renaissance Rome challenges this notion by demonstrating that same-sex unions have a long and complex history. Through his meticulous research and analysis, Ferguson provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of marriage and sexuality in premodern Europe and sheds light on the ways in which these issues continue to be relevant in contemporary society.

\n Weight: 362g\n
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781501755262\n \n