Orgies


 * Orgies**

//What is an Orgy?//

Historically, an “orgy” in Ancient Greece and Rome was a highly revered public or private ceremony in which the gods of pleasure (ionysus and Bacchus) were worshiped with dancing, drinking, singing, and sexual (both homo and hetero) relations took places ("Orgy," ). .

Today, an “orgy” has been defined as a group of people engaging in sex. These people can be single, or married (ie. See “swingers”) ("Orgy," ) .


 * Origins of Orgies**

//Ancient// //Greece// Orgy was derived originally from the ancient Greek word “orgeia,” meaning “ritual things done with a religious purpose” (Allyn, 2000). Orgies were an integral and very important part of Greek life. There is little historical information about these human rituals, however we do know that there were regular orgies held venues such as the temple of Aphrodite (Greek Godess of Love) (Allyn, 2000). At this temple, the “Eleusinian Mysteries” a 9 day autumnal ritual took place annually (Allyn, 2000). This ritual is one of the first documented major orgies of a civilized society.

//Ancient// //Rome// Unlike their Greek counterparts, the Romans engaged in and documented their use of orgies (Allyn, 2000).. Cults of Cybele, Isis, and the Bona Dea all involved orgiastic rites (Allyn, 2000). They used large rooms of baths to engage in their orgiastic activities. Their emperors would throw banquets frequently that would consist of rape, torture, group sex, and other activities (Allyn, 2000). One group, the Etruscans used orgies as entertainment (Allyn, 2000).

“When [the men] get together for companionship or in family parties they do as follows: first of all, after they have stopped drinking and are ready to go to bed, the servants bring them in to them… sometimes also their own wives; and when they have enjoyed these the servants introduce lusty young men who in turn consort with them.” (Ellis, 1927)

//The Middle Ages// After the fall of Rome and the rise of Christianity, orgies became shunned by the civilized world. Its only documented presence was during the English restoration in the 1660’s. One well documented case, Lord Chattleman had sex with multiple servants (Bartlette, 2008). Cahttleman enjoyed not only participating in these fantasies, but also observing them (Bartlette, 2008). The same servants “The Earl” engaged in intercourse with were forced to rape Chattleman’s wife for his pleasure as he watched (Bartlette, 2008). The origins of pornography were as well documented in eighteenth century England. Charlotte Hayes, the owner of a London brothel organized a very unique event (Bartlette, 2008). The recreation of an ancient Tahitian ritual known as the “Feast of Venus” was performed by 12 young girls and boys (Bartlette, 2008). Madam Hayes, charged an audience to watch the ancient recreation (Bartlette, 2008).

//The 1960s and 1970s Love Revolution in// //America//

Wife swapping and “swinging” became a popular trend throughout the “Love Rebellion” of the 20th century in America. The first time that orgies were discussed in a major media outlet was the catalyst for a revolution of morals in America. In 1957, the Magazine “Mr.” did an article about the practice of wife swapping (Bartlette, 2008). Word spread like wildfire. By the mid 1960s, more articles ran throughout media outles. The Chicago Daily News did a series of articles in the late 1960’s, which spread the swinging revolution throughout the Midwest (Bartlette, 2008).

Swingers were not just your typical hippie dressed in a rainbow of colors. They were your average American. Middle classes and college educated who lived secret lives. Never mixing work and pleasure, there were vast rules that swingers used to hide their secret lives (Bartlette, 2008). Parties would start early and end shortly after midnight so as not to attract suspicion from others. Women were encouraged to engage in homosexual behavior, whereas the unspoken rule of men engaging in homosexual activity was strictly prohibited (Bartlette, 2008). Minorities and homosexuals were never included in these swing parties (Bartlette, 2008). .


 * The Worlds Largest Orgy**

The world’s largest orgy is rumored to have taken place during the second century in Rome during a festival called “Bacchanalia” (Walsh, 2008). This festival was named for the Roman God of wine and parties, Bacchus. uring this festival, members would meet in secret locations and had large orgies (Walsh, 2008). It was rumored that 7,000 participants participated in this festival (Walsh, 2008). The world record for the largest documented orgy is held by Japan. This group consisted of 250 men and 250 women and took place in a warehouse ("Weird asia news," 2006). In a very organized setting (as you can see) of 250 sudo-beds lined all lined up next to each other, the participants engaged in oral and physical sex. (Picture from "Weird asia news," 2006)




 * Bibliography**

Allyn, David. (2000). Make love not war (Google book), Retrieved from []

Bartlette, K. (2008). Orgies through the ages. The times, Retrieved from [|http://www.timesonline.co.uk]

Ellis, H. (1927). Studies in the psychology of sex.

Orgy. Encarta. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from [|http://encarta.msn.com]

Walsh, J. (2008, April 6). Orgies: a brief history of group hanky-panky. The Independent, 43, Retrieved from [|http://www.independent.co.uk]

Weird asia news. (2006, June 18). Retrieved from []