Think your dating app escapades or wild college parties are the peak of sexual freedom? Think again! History reveals our ancestors—kings, emperors, and even cave dwellers—often had way more uninhibited fun. Group sex, or orgies, weren’t just a modern fad; they’ve been a part of human culture for ages.
Believe it or not, group encounters were quite the thing even back in the 16th century. From ancient fertility goddesses like Xochiquetzal and Ishtar to secret Renaissance parties, humans have always found ways to explore their sensual side together. Ready to dive into some steamy history? Here are ten moments that define the long and wild history of the orgy.
10. Prehistoric Orgies
It seems our earliest ancestors enjoyed getting physical just for fun, much like we do today. History shows sex has always had a ‘kinky’ side that might make us blush. We’re not just talking simple coupling; evidence suggests group activities, or orgies, were part of the mix.
Some of the oldest art includes pornography. A 37,000-year-old carving of a vulva found in France is one example. Then there’s the ‘Venus Cult,’ known for creating statues of curvy women, possibly early pin-ups or symbols of pregnancy.
Experts believe prehistoric people held large festivals celebrating sex and fertility. These likely involved group activities, similar to ancient Roman parties or even modern swingers’ events. Early sex toys have also been discovered, showing playtime isn’t a new idea.
9. Orgies Of Civilization
As humans settled down, built cities, and tamed nature, their traditions came along, including orgies and sex festivals. But now, they did it on a grander scale. In ancient Sumer, people worshipped Ishtar (also known as Inanna), the goddess of love and fertility, much like the Roman Venus. Her cults practiced ritual prostitution and threw massive orgy festivals where everyone got involved.
These events essentially ‘civilized’ the orgy. Surprisingly, these wild fertility festivals for Ishtar are thought to be the pagan roots of modern Easter—a far cry from chocolate bunnies! Group sex festivals were common in the ancient world. They celebrated life and acted as prayers for good harvests and many children.
8. Egyptian Orgies
Ancient Egypt stands out with its unique culture, from its focus on the afterlife to its art and, yes, its sex life. The Egyptians had their own distinct ways. In the city of Bubastis, the annual festival for the goddess Bastet (or Bast) was known for getting particularly wild.
The historian Herodotus described the Bastet festival as a scene of heavy drinking and unrestrained fun. Imagine hundreds of Egyptians, tipsy on wine, music playing loudly, surrounded by a joyful chaos of dancing and likely, group intimacy. It’s clear the ancient world really knew how to throw a party.
7. Greece
When discussing ancient sex, Greece always comes up. The Greek city-states were famous for embracing pleasure. Ancient Greek art, like paintings and pottery, shows they weren’t shy about sexuality. They proudly displayed their enjoyment, including group activities.
While often noted for homosexuality and pederasty, ancient Greece also hosted festivals filled with wine and orgies. These events celebrated life and honored gods like Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. Similar to Ishtar’s festivals, Dionysus had annual celebrations where wine flowed freely, and group sex was part of the multi-day festivities.
These ancient parties continue to inspire art today. Painters and illustrators have long imagined and depicted the vibrant scenes of Greek orgies. These cultures, including their lavish festivals and sexual openness, form part of the foundation of Western society.
6. Rome
Few cultures mastered the art of the orgy quite like ancient Rome. Known for grand shows, immense wealth, and a love for celebration, the Romans approached orgies with extravagance. As Greek culture merged with Roman, Dionysus became Bacchus, and Greek sexual practices were adopted and amplified by the Romans.
Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and fertility, inspired festivals called Bacchanalia. These events were all about wine, celebration, and group sex. In fact, the word ‘bacchanalia’ still means ‘orgy’ in English today. Initially, these were women-only affairs, but as Rome grew, so did the Bacchanalia, becoming huge festivals of drunken group sex that rivaled anything seen in Greece.
Things escalated further during the Roman Empire. Emperors like Caligula were known for their lustful desires. He built two incredible ships, discovered near Lake Nemi in 1929. Decorated with gold and marble, these weren’t typical boats; they were floating palaces of excess used for massive orgies on the water.
5. India
The history of orgies isn’t limited to the West. Ancient India, though more sexually conservative today, had a vibrant past. As the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, it’s no surprise India once embraced sexual exploration openly.
In Khajuraho, located in the Madhya Pradesh state, ancient temples display some of the most well-preserved erotic art in the world. These carvings show countless sex scenes, including many depictions of group sex. The temple walls feature intricate images of entangled bodies engaging in various acts, including numerous orgies. This remarkable ‘sex temple’ offers a glimpse into a time when group sex was abundant in Indian culture.
4. The Renaissance
Despite the influence of the Church during the Middle Ages, orgies didn’t disappear entirely, though they became less common. Group sex often moved to the fringes of society. However, the Italian Renaissance brought a resurgence, introducing a new, more discreet form: the masquerade ball.
These masked orgies were popular among the upper classes. Participants needed to maintain their reputations after a night of drinking and sex. The masks allowed for anonymity, crucial because often, only the masks stayed on! Masquerade balls resembled ancient Bacchanalia but were smaller and much more private. Protecting one’s identity was key, allowing attendees to return to their roles as respectable citizens the next day. The elaborate masks served this purpose well, and the tradition’s influence lingers in events like Mardi Gras, which still holds sexual undertones.
3. Turn Of The 20th Century
Masquerades faded, and Western culture entered a more prudish era, emphasizing modesty. Orgies became associated with controversial figures like Rasputin or Aleister Crowley. But as the 19th century closed and the 20th began, society started to loosen its strict religious grip.
One sign of this shift was the emergence of early pornography. The French film Le Coucher de la Mariee (The Bedtime of the Bride), made in 1896, is among the first erotic films. The early 1900s saw a rise in pornographic material, some featuring group sex. The orgy was making a comeback. Threesomes, foursomes, and larger group encounters became more frequent in both Europe and the US, documented in erotic videos from the era that can still be found online today.
2. Sexual Revolution
After the World Wars, the 1960s ushered in a sexual revolution. Ideas of ‘free love’ and casual drug use became widespread, challenging traditional norms. The anonymity once found behind a mask could now be found in the crowds of rock concerts. Activists and groups pushed for greater sexual freedom, and group sex even took on a political dimension as a form of protest.
Beneath the peace-and-love surface, darker groups like Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan also held their own secretive orgies, often involving robes and rituals. The 1960s fiercely questioned the centuries-old prudish rules. Advances in film technology also made pornography easier to create and access, setting the stage for the next evolution of the orgy.
1. The Modern Orgy
Since the 1960s, orgies have continued to evolve, often becoming larger and more diverse. The push for sexual liberation led to the rise of ‘swinging’ in the 1970s, especially in the US. Swinging involves groups, often couples, meeting for group sex or partner swapping. While tamer than Caligula’s parties, it remains a popular practice.
Technology has significantly shaped the modern orgy. Pornography increasingly features group scenarios of all kinds. With billions of porn pages online, many cater to orgiastic content. If it’s imaginable, sexualized, and legal, it’s likely been filmed and is available online.
The smartphone camera has also revolutionized things, fueling the rise of amateur porn. Swingers can now easily record their encounters and even sell the footage. This trend is global, including countries like India, where increased access to cell phones fuels amateur content creation. It seems humans will always find ways to incorporate sex into new frontiers – perhaps the first zero-gravity orgy in space isn’t too far off?
Humans have gathered for group sex since prehistoric times, adapting the practice through ages of festivals, empires, revolutions, and technological leaps. It’s a constant thread in our shared, complex history.
What historical moment surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
