Sex With A Married Woman example essay topic

Mesopotamia endured many changes before becoming what it is today. It's original state, however, was actually the closest to today's American society, while present day Mesopotamia is like a mirror image. The ancient Sumerians were very similar in lifestyle to American citizens of today. Even after the conquest of Mesopotamia by the Babylonians, life was more or less free. During the Assyrian age, however, freedom became a distant memory-and that is how the area remains today (though it is no longer called Mesopotamia).

Concepts of Ancient Mesopotamia-such as equal rights and freedom of expression-Slowly died out. The full transition from matriarchy to patriarchy took some sixteen hundred years, but was a swift change once the wheels began to tur. n Mesopotamia actually began as a matriarchy in the Sumerian age, which ran from about 2500 BC-1750 BC. During this time, marriage partners were chosen freely. Husband and wife shared authority in the household, as well as in rearing the children. Man and woman alike could work for a living. Women had more power in the religious aspect, though, where they held upstanding positions in the temples.

The main deity of that time was Ishtar, the Goddess who embodies all things female (birth, sexual power, pregnancy, life, and other deities). During the time of Ishtar, Mesopotamian's were not only equal and free, but also quite into exhibitionism. Being sexually open as they were, they often used this as public entertainment. In celebration of Ishtar, or of victory, women would often go to her temple for feasts and sex. The Peor Cult, devoted to Baal Peor, worshiped excessive sexual indulgence and exhibitionism. They would sometimes put on shows in which the actors would engage in various sexual acts until the finale, when the audience would join in.

The Sumerians did not need a religious reason to indulge in sexual activities. Prostitution and extra-marital relations were totally acceptable. In fact, sex outside the marriage was considered to mean that one was "loved". Sex within the family, and within gender, was also acceptable. It seems that Mesopotamia was not much for setting limits. But hygiene may not have been a main concern, either.

It has been thought by some that some sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) actually originated in the sex-crazed region of Mesopotamia. Hammurabi, himself, spoke of these diseases. He threatened that anyone who opposed him would be cursed with "an evil disease". The sores that appeared when one contracted syphilis were thought to be the bite of a crab, due to the constellations of the crab and scorpion that were thought to aid the Gods in punishment. Soon these sexual escapades came to a halt.

In 1750 BC, the Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia. Women lost most of their rights and became property, and were no longer able to engage in extra-marital relations, or sexual frenzies during celebration. Prostitution was no longer accepted as it once was, and yet it still flourished. Ishtar's temple, once used for celebration, was now a temple of prostitutes. Every woman was required at least once after marriage to journey to the temple and wait there until a stranger dropped a silver coin in her lap. The woman was to leave with the first to do this, have sex, and then return home to her husband.

Some upper class women were still able to pursue work, but were escorted in public by eunuchs (male slaves who were castrated so as not to be of any "harm"). Marriages were now arranged, and only used for the purpose of producing children. If a wife did not bear children within two years, she was required to purchase a woman for her husband. The husband came to have most authority over the children and household, yet the wife was still responsible for rearing the children and keeping house. However, if the husband deemed her as not doing a good job, she could be forced to leave. Women were now considered property.

Hence the fact that, in the case of rape, the accused was to pay a fine to the girl's father for reducing her worth. He also was entitled to marry the girl, even if he, himself, was already married. Sex with a married woman was considered a crime against property. Though a woman was not considered an equal to her husband, Hammurabi's Code still contained laws relating to women and protecting them in marriage. For example, if the husband engaged in incest, he could be punished by banishment or death, depending on how closely related the other party was. Adultery, however, was acceptable-for men.

If a woman was caught having an affair, she would be killed. Life went on like this for several hundred years, until the Assyrians took over in 900 BC. At this point, society turned completely. Women lost what few rights they had left, and all laws became much harsher. Veiling became a requirement for all respectable women. Any woman of lower stature (prostitute, harlot, slave) was to be left unveiled.

Reproduction was still encouraged, yet more forcefully now, for the fact that they needed more soldiers for the new highly militaristic society. Women who bore sons were honored, and those who miscarried or had a stillborn child were impaled on a stake. Marriages remained arranged, women remained property, and men remained in control. Though "Mesopotamia" no longer exists today, the land remains, the culture remains, and history tells how it all came to be. It is said that Mesopotamia is the oldest civilization, with the earliest recorded history.

When you realize the amount of cultural change that occurred over those years-not to mention the years before the Sumerians, when the land was occupied by hunters and gatherers-It is not hard to believe that this is where life really began. At the same time, you see how they have progressed (or digressed, rather) to present day. The same womanizing values, harsh laws, and militaristic government remain. Yes, this is where civilization began, but it must also be where it left off, because it seems that the people of that region still have quite a lot to learn about being truly civilized.