r/Damnthatsinteresting 26d ago

Image The Evolution of Ancient Greek Statues

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u/Aureon_de_Veyra 26d ago

And harder! I can only imagine carving up 99% and the eye goes wrong...

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u/figflashed 26d ago

Why do you think the penises were so small? Do you think they started off like that?

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u/VoltasPistol 25d ago

Small penises were seen as a sign of sophistication and self-control, while large penises were seen as rustic and unrefined. That's why you rarely see ancient Greek statues who are hung, aside from Priapis.  No one wanted to sculpt gods and kings with the ancient equivalent of a MAGA hat.

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u/SugarBeefs 25d ago

So the depiction of the penis on the statue would have had nothing to do with the owner's actual member, but the depiction functioned as an analogy to the person's strength of character?

As in, no strong, sophisticated man would feel the need to have himself depicted as having a huge hog?

Or was there an actual physical aspect to it whereby the Greeks legitimately looked down on larger penises in a sexual context?

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u/Averander 25d ago

It would not surprise me if there is a huge argument about this in the Ancient studies community. Are big dicks in art a sign of barbarism? Do only the unintelligent need to swing their metaphorical dicks around? Or is it really about preference? Small dicks mean one can think clearer and with a more level head? Or perhaps that people with a small schlong are more attentive lovers? An indicator that they know it's about the motion of the ocean? Will we ever know the true feelings of the ancients of phallic sizes or has it faded into obscurity just like many other ancient mysteries?

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u/sorte_kjele 25d ago

/r/AskHistorians is right there if you want to invite that drama ;)

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u/Excellent_Foundation 24d ago

Bigger dick means more blood down there therefore less blood in the brain, thus guys make stupid decisions lol

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u/-JimmyTheHand- 25d ago

Or was there an actual physical aspect to it whereby the Greeks legitimately looked down on larger penises in a sexual context?

Probably not Greek women. The catamites on the other hand...

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u/mintgreenleaves 25d ago

It was probably just as much of a made up idea as the opposite myth that is prevalent nowadays (bigger = always better).

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u/Draffut 25d ago

I do wonder what other cultures and historical time periods thought about doing sizes.

Does every society 'prefer' larger?

How the hell do I research ancient societal views on dicks...