Oral sex has been practiced since ancient times, with clear evidence from the Roman world showing its existence though often viewed negatively. Roman literature and art document oral sex, but society typically regarded it with disdain or humor linked to shame and insult.
Roman poets like Catullus condemn oral sex harshly. In his poem Carmen 99:10, he calls it the “filthy spit of a filthy prostitute,” using the phrase os impurum or “filthy mouth.” This insult was so serious that Cicero avoided applying it to his social equals.
Martial continues this theme in his epigrams. He jokes about a fellator (oral sex giver) whose breath is so foul it ruins food (Epigram 3:17). Another poem (7:94) describes how a man’s mouth, stained from oral sex, turns a pleasant scent to one resembling garum, a strong fish sauce. These jokes emphasize disdain for oral sex while also suggesting it was a well-known practice.
Roman sexual dynamics often linked oral sex to social dominance. Art typically shows oral sex as reciprocal between men, since upstanding men avoided giving oral sex unless they also received it. Giving oral sex without reciprocity was seen as humiliating or submissive, although some found such power exchanges titillating. A Pompeian wall painting depicts a smaller man performing oral sex on a taller woman, illustrating this dynamic.
| Term | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Fellatio | Oral stimulation of the penis | Latin fellō (to suck) |
| Cunnilingus | Oral stimulation of the vulva | Latin cunnus (vulva) + lingō (to lick) |
| Irrumātiō | Forceful oral sex or ‘face-fucking’ | Latin, considered very vulgar |
Irrumātiō was the most offensive term. Martial uses it as a threat for extreme humiliation (Epigram 2:47). Catullus also threatens critics with it, demonstrating its severity in Roman insult culture.
With Christianity’s rise, attitudes toward sexual practices changed. The medieval period saw oral sex references fade due to Christian criticism of non-procreative sex acts. This contributed to a cultural shift where oral sex became less publicly acknowledged.
- Oral sex dates back to Roman times, documented with negative connotations.
- Roman poets like Catullus and Martial widely condemn or mock the practice.
- Roman sexual norms linked oral sex to dominance and reciprocity, with humiliation for non-reciprocal giving.
- Common oral sex terms come from Latin roots.
- Christianity greatly reduced public references to oral sex in later centuries.
At What Point Did Oral Sex Become a Thing?
Oral sex has been around for thousands of years, and evidence shows it was known as far back as the Roman world. But here is the twist: the Romans didn’t exactly cheer it on or praise it as a delightful pleasure in polite company. In fact, they often viewed it as something dirty, humiliating, or at best, shameful. So, when did oral sex start, and how was it really perceived through history? Let’s dig in with some Roman sass.
Oral Sex in the Roman World: Not Exactly a Party Favor
Oral sex appears repeatedly in Roman literature and art, but the tone is rarely positive. It’s documented, sure, but often framed through disdain or humor mocking the act itself or those involved. The Romans had well-established social norms about sex, putting dominance and power dynamics in the driver’s seat rather than mutual pleasure.
Take the famous Roman poet Catullus, for example. In Carmen 99:10, he calls the mouth used for oral sex an “os impurum” or “filthy mouth.” This wasn’t just a cheeky insult. It was considered so vulgar that Cicero, another renowned Roman figure, refused to hurl it against anyone of his status. This tells you oral sex was loaded with shame and stigma.
Martial’s Jabs: Breath That Could Kill
Martial, who specialized in biting epigrams, offers more sharp perspectives in his works. His 3rd Epigram (3:17) tells a humorous yet gross story of a fellator (someone who gives oral sex) trying to cool a hot cake by blowing on it. Instead of cooling, the breath turns the cake into excrement. Not a flattering metaphor!
Another Martial quip (Epigram 7:94) describes a man whose mouth stinks so badly from performing oral sex that his breath ruins even the finest perfumes, turning them into garum—a famously pungent Roman fermented fish sauce. That smell wasn’t sexy in ancient Rome.
Who’s Doing What? Power, Reciprocity, and Shame
Romans loved to emphasize power in all things, especially sex. Here, dominance mattered more than pleasure. Oral sex was only socially acceptable when it was a balanced exchange: a man giving cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) only if he also received fellatio (oral sex from a man or woman). When a man gave oral sex without reciprocity, he risked humiliation.
This dynamic is beautifully captured in a Pompeii wall painting showing a small, sneaky man giving oral sex to a taller woman. This kind of scene probably raised eyebrows as well as other things!
The Lingering Legacy: Language Tells Its Own Story
Interestingly, our modern words for oral sex are deeply rooted in Latin. “Fellatio” comes from fellō, meaning “to suck.” “Cunnilingus” combines cunnus (vulva) and lingō (to lick). Even the brutal-sounding “irrumātiō” translates literally to “to face-fuck,” marking the most extreme form of oral sex, associated with dominance and humiliation.
Martial’s epigrams continue to support this harsh attitude. For instance, in Epigram 2:47, he suggests performing irrumātiō on adulterers. Catullus, in his famous Carmen 16, threatens critics of his work with the same vulgar fate. It’s clear that some sexual acts were weapons in verbal battles and social power plays.
Impact of Christianity: A Silencer of Sexual Openness
With the rise of Christianity, the narrative around sexuality, especially oral sex, took a nosedive. Early Christians disapproved of most forms of sex outside procreation and often condemned sexual acts seen as deviant or shameful.
This influence led to a near disappearance of open references to oral sex in medieval texts and art. The topic became taboo, hidden behind layers of guilt and religious discipline. Unlike the Romans who were blunt and crude but direct, medieval Europe shrouded such references in silence.
So, When Did Oral Sex Become a ‘Thing’?
The short answer? Oral sex has probably existed as long as humans have. The Romans provide some of the earliest clear evidence—both textual and visual—highlighting the act and society’s complex, often negative feelings toward it. They called it out bluntly, mocked it, and used it as a social weapon.
That said, oral sex’s stigma was closely tied to ideas of dominance, shame, and social hierarchy. What might feel normal or pleasurable today was often taboo or humiliating back then.
Are we really that different? Even today, oral sex can still be a delicate subject for many. While we enjoy more openness, the echoes of old judgments sometimes linger in humor, euphemisms, or personal boundaries.
Tips for Understanding the History of Sexual Behavior
- Explore social contexts: Sexual acts are never just physical; they’re cultural and power-laden too.
- Look for language cues: What terms do cultures use? What do they reveal about perception?
- Study art and literature: These often give honest glimpses beyond official histories.
- Consider influence of religion: Observe how major religions alter public discourse.
Oral sex’s journey through history is a fascinating mirror of societal values and taboos. From Roman barbarians who roasted the act with cruel humor to Christian authorities who hushed it, the story tells us much more than just “when.” It tells us why and how humans think about pleasure, shame, and power.
So next time you hear the word fellatio or cunnilingus, remember: these aren’t just fancy words from the bedroom lexicon. They’re ancient markers of a history packed with judgment, mythology, and surprisingly relatable humor.
When did oral sex first appear in historical records?
Oral sex is documented in the Roman world, showing it was known and practiced by that time. Evidence comes from Roman literature and art.
How did Romans view oral sex?
It was often seen negatively. Writers like Catullus and Martial called it filthy or shameful. The act carried social stigma, especially for men giving oral sex.
Was oral sex in Roman times always humiliating?
Not always. Oral sex could be reciprocal among equals. Cunnilingus was done only if fellatio was also received. Being only the giver was often humiliating.
Where do the terms for oral sex come from?
Many English terms like fellatio and cunnilingus come from Latin words describing sucking and licking. Another term, irrumātiō, means “face-fucking” and is considered very vulgar.
How did Christianity affect discussions of oral sex?
Christianity’s strict views on sex reduced references to oral sex in medieval texts. It limited open talk about such acts for many centuries after the Roman era.
