In a convergence of extraordinary events, the Silk Road came into existence. The court deemed the decision irresponsible, citing its profound impact on trade, the economy, and society as a whole. What particularly captured my attention was the intricate interplay between the Silk Road, liberty, and secrecy.
Amidst the vibrant tapestry of the Silk Road, individuals from every corner of the globe mingled, giving rise to a rich blend of social traditions and norms. This eclectic cocktail of diverse religious and social ideologies allowed for the easy dismissal of hometown norms, cultivating a sense of freedom that bore both positive and negative consequences.
The Silk Road was not devoid of expressions of intimacy, manifesting in various forms—from individuals subjected to sexual exploitation and those engaged in prostitution to instructional manuals and medicinal practices. This article endeavors to delve into these facets and more, seeking to unravel the intricate nature of sexuality and love along the Silk Road.
Mаrco Polo on Loʋe аnd Ѕ?x on the Sіlk Roаd
Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant who lived from 1254 to 1324, gained renown for his extensive travels across Asia during the height of the Mongol Empire. His travelogue stands as one of the most valuable sources on travel and trade during this era, providing a detailed account of his experiences.
Polo’s writings have unveiled much to historians about life on the Silk Road, touching upon various aspects of love and sex. He explicitly mentioned sexual relations, particularly when discussing how homeowners along the Silk Road opened their homes to travelers in need of rest.
Polo stated that these hosts not only offered their homes but often extended the offer to their wives as well. He wrote:
“The host is delighted and desires his wife to put herself entirely at the guest’s disposal, while he himself gets out of the way and comes back no more until the stranger shall have taken his departure. The guest may stay and enjoy the wife’s society as long as he likes, whilst the husband has no shame in the matter but indeed considers it an honor. And all the men of this province are made wittols of by their wives in this way. The women themselves are fair and wanton.”
Polo went on to confess that the Mongols were not entirely pleased with this convention, but they allowed the men to continue with it. The motivations behind such actions remain somewhat unclear. It could be that travelers coerced these men into offering their wives, or the husbands received payments for the offer. What we can assume with near certainty is that the women had little say in the matter.
Mаny women lіʋіng аlong the Sіlk Roаd ended vp іnʋolʋed іn а Ѕ?x trаde. Oіl pаіntіng ‘Chooѕіng the Fаʋorіte’ Ƅy Gіvlіo Roѕаtі
It wаѕ not only ѕіmple merchаnt trаʋelerѕ who vѕed the Sіlk Roаd to theіr Ѕ?xvаl аdʋаntаge, аccordіng to Polo. Weаlthіer jovrneyerѕ vѕed the rovte to fаcіlіtаte theіr Ѕ?xvаl exploіtаtіon of women on аn eʋen lаrger ѕcаle.
For exаmple, Polo recorded how eʋery yeаr one hvndred women were ѕent to the “ Greаt Khаn ” who wovld then:“commіt them to the chаrge of certаіn elderly lаdіeѕ dwellіng іn hіѕ pаlаce… then ѕvch of them аѕ аre of аpproʋed Ƅeаvty, аnd аre good аnd ѕovnd іn аll reѕpectѕ, аre аppoіnted to аttend on the Emperor Ƅy tvrnѕ. Thvѕ ѕіx of theѕe dаmѕelѕ tаke theіr tvrn for three dаyѕ аnd nіghtѕ, аnd wаіt on hіm when he іѕ іn hіѕ chаmƄer аnd when he іѕ іn hіѕ Ƅed, to ѕerʋe hіm іn аny wаy, аnd to Ƅe entіrely аt hіѕ orderѕ. At the end of the three dаyѕ аnd nіghtѕ they аre relіeʋed Ƅy other ѕіx. And ѕo throvghovt the yeаr, there аre relіefѕ of mаіdenѕ Ƅy ѕіx аnd ѕіx, chаngіng eʋery three dаyѕ аnd nіghtѕ.”
So not only dіd Ѕ?x аnd іntіmаcy exіѕt іn theіr phyѕіcаl formѕ аlong the Sіlk Roаd, Ƅvt the rovte аlѕo аcted аѕ а fаcіlіtаtіng ʋector for lаter, more lаrge-ѕcаle Ѕ?xvаl trаffіckіng .
Ѕ?xvаl Exchаngeѕ on the Sіlk Roаd
There existed a multitude of ways in which individuals engaged in diverse activities on the Silk Road, spanning both consensual and non-consensual realms.
The Silk Road served as a conduit for the transportation of various slaves, including those subjected to sexual exploitation. Although the attitudes of Romans towards sex slaves and concubines remain ambiguous, substantial evidence suggests the existence of intimate relationships between powerful male owners and their female slaves.
While many women embarked on their journey as sex slaves, some entered freely only to be later kidnapped and sold. Historical accounts, such as that of Wenji in the 2nd century AD, narrate tales of capture, forced marriage to nomadic warlords, and subsequent rescue, albeit accompanied by the profound loss of children and nomadic ties.
In the 7th century, stories like that of Wencheng unfolded, where she was abducted and transported to China, becoming the bride of a Tibetan ruler—a union celebrated in both lands. Such narratives, though limited, offer glimpses into the experiences of those traversing the Silk Road.
The Silk Road also witnessed sexual exchanges blurring the line between consensual and non-consensual. In the Byzantine Empire, women often resorted to selling themselves into sex work for survival. While initially appearing lucrative, sex work carried inherent risks, with these women likely facing violence and potential lack of full entitlement to their earnings under wealthy male owners.
Silk held paramount importance in the Byzantine Empire, leading Byzantine traders, along with their sexual appetites, to traverse the Silk Road. Cathouses emerged along the route through the Byzantine Empire, catering to the demands of these traders.
Beyond the more sinister sexual exchanges, it appears that people had slightly more freedom to explore their sexuality along the Silk Road. In its early years, Roman influences strongly shaped the Silk Road, allowing Roman ideas about same-sex relationships to spread throughout its length.
Of course, the diverse cultures converging on the Silk Road held differing opinions on such matters. Historians suggest that the Mongols likely engaged in homosexual activity, despite religious influences such as Islam condemning it. Despite religious disapproval, private instances of such relationships were often tolerated.
The Silk Road provided an ideal setting for such activities, allowing travelers to explore facets of their identity far removed from their normal lives, free from the societal norms that might otherwise force them to conceal such aspects.
The Dissemination of Intimate Know-How and Sensual Guides along the Silk Road
Numerous notions regarding intimacy and sexual practices permeated society through the Silk Road. For instance, within a variant of Buddhism known as Tantric Buddhism, the pursuit of enlightenment involved achieving ecstasy. The tenets of this Buddhist branch spread along the Silk Road, advocating the idea that sensual activities and practices could lead to this heightened state of ecstasy.
Additionally, a renowned guide compiled in the 3rd or 4th century AD circulated along the Silk Road. This manual provided instructions on intimate relations, presenting them as both social and economic duties. However, the term ‘translates to pleasure,’ implying that pleasure was also somewhat the goal.
Sexuality and Political Influence
Eunuchs frequently traversed the Silk Road, serving as diplomats and court officials in the late Roman and Byzantine Empires, as well as by dynastic leaders in China. Eunuchs, castrated men entrusted with services close to those in power, offer an intriguing example of how sexuality and sexual identity, both physical and mental, played a crucial role in social status and perception.
Through the act of castration, these men were seen as more trustworthy and less likely to succumb to temptations. Due to this perceived neutrality, eunuchs were often respected in both political and social spheres.
Zheng He, a Chinese explorer and eunuch, utilized the Silk Road to spread Chinese dynastic influence. Because eunuchs were perceived as harmless and neutral, they were more approachable and therefore able to effectively disseminate their message.
Sexuality and Medicine
Sexuality and sexual activity were also linked to medical practices. In ancient China, for example, it was generally believed that sex and intimacy could have therapeutic value. Many medical texts contained instructions on how to have proper intercourse, as well as what not to do. Similar to the Kama Sutra, these texts spread via the Silk Road, as did many other works that were not exclusively sexual in nature.
During the Tang Dynasty, another how-to sex manual was produced, titled “The Classic of the White Girl.” It provided advice to men on how to engage in sex. While offering such instructions, it also emphasized the importance of sex for health and nature. In the book, one of the characters named Huangdi asked another character named Sunu what would happen if he abstained from sex. Sunu replied that