Historical And Cultural Perspectives On Zoophilia

First, let me start by just saying "Eew…"

Basic Information

Zoophilia is sex between humans and animals.

I really don't want to go into this at length and detail, and luckily (thanks to Wikipedia) I don't have to. Suffice it to say that our modern cultural taboos have not always been the norm. Many cultures over the ages have been rather looser in regards to bestiality.

Here's a brief overview, consult wikipedia if you need the zoological specifics:

• Prehistory: Some paleolithic artwork includes images of bestiality.
• Nordic Bronze Age: Zoosexual carvings at Sagaholm.
• Ancient Egypt: Bestiality may have been an element in Egyptian culture and religious practice.
• Ancient Greece: The gods are depicted as frequently having sex with or as animals in Greek Mythology. Numerous classical writers mention bestiality, some of them in terms far from condemning.
• Ancient Rome: Took the Greek Myths one step further, including very disturbing recreations at the Circus Maximus.
• Europe in the Middle Ages: Witches were often accused of having sex with animals that The Devil had possessed.
• Recent and contemporary Tribal Cultures: Some (certainly not all) have less stigma attached to zoophilia than we do.
• Us: We like to pretend we're all prim and proper, but you can find anything on the internet. Or some seedy bars.

It is notable that cultures that find bestiality revolting tend to throw the book at it. When witches were burned, their suspected familiars were also put down. Prior to 1861, English law declared Buggery a hang-able offense. The Talmud has a passage prohibiting women from even being alone with animals.

Sources

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia

Game and Story Use

• The bond between a Druid and his or her Animal Companion might prove to be very intimate. Just sayin'.
• If you want to make a culture seem really alien or bizarre, this is one way to do so. The squick factor is likely to get a visceral reaction from your players.
• Could justify a Half Human Hybrid race in fantasy. Crossbreeding for religious reasons, giving rise to a Hybrid caste.
• Could also be played for laughs. Especially if Zeus is involved.