Hi. I'm a queer, mixed race person with disabilities. This is my personal bitbucket/blog-reading tool. Trolling efforts are ignored and automatically deleted.
For fanworks go to ajoraverse.tumblr.com
ETA 2020/12/29: All postings of fan works are at @ajoraverse. My original fandom: Final Fantasy V. Currently wallowing in it. Longer posts, more personal posts, and translation work at Dreamwidth.
ETA 2025/1/12: I work an intellectually demanding job that has me travel periodically, I won’t able to get back to you quickly. Will not post begging and scam asks from people I don’t know and doing this will get you blocked.
“Erotica” may not be the first word to come to mind when you think about
ancient Egypt. In fact, maybe you haven’t even spared ancient Egyptian erotica
a thought – didn’t realise that the culture that left us the Pyramids and the
Valley of Kings was quite that naughty (or maybe you have, because dick jokes
have been the constant of human existence). But then a few Egyptologists online
mention Egyptian erotica off-hand and now
you’re left wondering how dirty they actually were.
What exactly was the
extent of erotica in ancient Egypt? I’m using “erotica” in the widest sense of
the word here, i.e. textual or visual depictions of love, lust and/or sex.
Generally the term is defined as art with the purpose of eliciting feelings of
arousal, but because it’s not always evident what the exact objective of a
certain depiction or text was, I think it best to keep the definition broad.
The Turin Erotic Papyrus
The most famous
example of ancient Egyptian erotica, Papyrus Turin 55001, colloquially known as
the Turin Erotic Papyrus, illustrates this well. This papyrus was found in Deir
el-Medina and dates to the Ramesside Period. It contains twelve depictions of a
man and women in different sexual positions. While the girls are young and
pretty, the man himself is bald and flabby – not exactly the epitome of ancient
Egyptian physical beauty standards.
The man’s appearance
isn’t the only thing that makes it questionable whether the Turin Erotic
Papyrus is deserving of its nickname “the world’s first [known] men’s mag”. Apart
from the sexual depictions, the papyrus also contains images of animals
performing human tasks. This section is believed to be either humorous or
satirical in nature, which casts doubt on whether the erotic section was
supposed to arouse the reader/viewer.
The ancient Egyptian
art depicted the ideal version of reality in “good” images. If the Turin Erotic
Papyrus was intended to engender sexual arousal, or make it possible for the
reader to identify themselves with the male main character, we can assume that
he would at least have had hair. On the other hand, the women are drawn
very appealingly, and sometimes engage in sexual activities on their own.
Unfortunately the
papyrus is heavily damaged and the surviving text in the margins isn’t clear on
its intent, either. By and large the text is complementary dialogue, with lines
such as “Oh! Sun, you have found out my heart, it is agreeable work”. This
means the actual purpose of the Turin Papyrus is uncertain, with some experts
suggesting it was satirical, meant as a humorous depiction of uncouth and
absurd behaviour at which the elite could laugh. But again, when you draw pretty
young ladies with that kind of effort… well.
Love songs
The New Kingdom also
left us many love poems or love songs. The Cairo Love Songs were found written
down on a large potshard in Deir el-Medina, and Papyrus Harris 500, a Ramesside
papyrus, contains a collection of love poetry in addition to the literary tales
on it. Papyrus Turin 1996, and Papyrus Chester Beatty 1 also contain examples
of the genre.
These love songs
range from romantic, talking about how much two young people love each other,
to downright lusty, with descriptions of the beauty of the beloved and/or talking
about sex, sometimes in no uncertain terms.
However, keep in mind
that the metaphors the ancient Egyptians used are separated from our modern
society by various orders of magnitude. It’s altogether possible that some of
the things we now read into these translations aren’t exactly what the original
text was meant to say.
With that disclaimer
out of the way, here are a few of my favourites (all translations by W. K.
Simpson in Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories,
Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry):
Papyrus Harris 500, song
1
If I am not beside
you, where will you set your desire? If [you] do not
embrace [me and seize] the moment, [Whom will you]
approach (for) pleasure? But if you woo me to
touch my breasts and my thighs, […]
Would you depart
because you have the urge to eat? Are you a man who is
devoted to his stomach? Would [you depart] in
your fine clothing, While I am left with
nothing but the bed sheets?
Would you leave me
for the sake of drink2 […]? Then take my breast,
for its milk wells up for you. More wondrous is a
single day in your embrace […] Than a hundred
thousand upon earth.
Papyrus Harris 500, song
4
My desire is not yet
quenched by your love, My wanton little
jackal cub. My lust for you I
cannot forgo, Though I be beaten
and driven off To dwell in the Delta
marshes, (Driven) to the land
of Khor with sticks and clubs, To the land of Kush
with switches of palm, To the high ground
with rods, Or to the low ground
with branches. I will pay no heed to
their warnings To abandon the one
whom I desire.
Papyrus Harris 500, song
12
I shall go out [to
seek my lover]. [I yearn] for your
love, And my heart stops
within me.
To look at a sweet
cake Is like looking at
salt; Sweet pomegranate
wine in my mouth Is like the bitter
gall of birds.
The breath of your
nostrils Is the sole thing
which can revive my heart, And I am determined
that Amun will grant you to me For ever and eternity
Papyrus Harris 500, song
24
What is the
completion of preparing to make love? Let Menqet be adorned
there […] […] her bed
chamber. Come, and I shall
tell you. Put fine linen on her
body While laying her bed with
royal linen. Be meticulous about
white linen, Adorn […] her body, Found like one
sprinkled with perfume.
Papyrus Harris 500, song
25
Would that I were her
Nubian maidservant Who attends to her
personal needs; […] This would mean that
the skin of her whole body Would be exposed to
me.
Papyrus Chester
Beatty I, song 41
Now you shall bring
it to the house of (your) beloved And go as far as her
portal. Her chamber will be
open (for you), And her housemaid
will have prepared it.
Provide her with
songs and dances, Wine and strong beer
in her pavilion. You will arouse her
passions And fulfill them
during this night.
She will say to you, ‘‘Take me into your
embrace.’’ And when the dawn
comes, She will still be
there.
Papyrus Chester
Beatty I, song 42
Now you shall bring
it to the chamber of (your) beloved, Alone, no other (with
you), And you will
accomplish your desire in her [embrace]
The curtains will
flutter, And the sky will
descend in a gale of wind. (Hathor) will bring
you her fragrance, And its perfume will
overwhelm and intoxicate All those who are
present.
It is the Golden Goddess Who destines her for
you as a boon To let you fulfill
the span of your life.
Some of the returning
motifs in these songs are drinking of pomegranate wine or the shadow of a
pomegranate tree as the location for a rendezvous; the idea that the embrace of
a beloved dispels all ills in a lover; parents who don’t know how much their
son/daughter yearns for their beloved; and Hathor as provider of lovers and
love.
In ancient Egypt,
premarital sex wasn’t much of a social issue. If there was consent between both
parties, sex was fine (adultery was another matter, of course). This is the
general attitude we get from these love songs: sex and love and desire are
predominantly good (unless the lover suffers from being away from their beloved
for too long), as long as they are enjoyed by both parties and adhere to Egyptian
social mores.
Sources and further reading
W. K. Simpson - Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry
B. Mathieu - La
Poésie Amoureuse de l’Égypte Ancienne: Recherches sur un genre littéraire au
Nouvel Empire
G. Robins - Women in Ancient Egypt
A. G. McDowell - Village Life in Ancient Egypt: Laundry Lists and Love Songs
C. Graves-Brown (ed) - Sex and Gender in Ancient Egypt: Don Your Wig for a Joyful Hour
In June 1987, President Reagan gave a speech in West Berlin where he said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” And no one, including Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, paid attention. But then, two and a half years later, people started tearing down the wall and Americans were all “Our president! Our president made that happen!” Yeah, bullshit.
–On This Day in History Shit Went Down: December 26, 1991–
They called it the “Cold War” because the two greatest superpowers to arise out of World War II, the United States and the USSR, never directly confronted each other. That’s because they constructed and pointed at each other a metric shit-ton of intercontinental boomsticks that could obliterate the planet. So, they fought smaller proxy wars through nations like Korea, Vietnam, Israel, and Afghanistan instead. The rivaling superpowers spent countless billions on weapons, until the Soviets finally said okay we’re out of money so we’re done now.
In 1989, President Gorbachev began loosening the yoke of control on various Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe. Bush Sr. was president at the time and basically sat back and watched it happen. Gorbachev’s actions were prompted by bankruptcy. The military expenditures needed to control their empire destroyed the economy, and so they pulled back. Lacking Soviet military support, the communist leaders in Eastern Bloc countries were all like “Oh wow are we ever fucked.”
And fucked they were, because the removal of troops resulted in an organic, democratic momentum that swept many Eastern European nations, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. The overthrowing of communist governments was largely peaceful, with the exception of Romania. That was a violent revolution that saw the execution of the president, who by the way was a murderous cock who had it coming.
The fun wasn’t over yet. Gorbachev began the democratization process at home, allowing for multiparty elections. Commies didn’t like the “parade of sovereignties” spelling the death of their once-mighty empire, and in August 1991 they tried a coup against Gorby, but it failed. At that point the writing was on the wall for the old USSR. Everyone was like fuck this “union,” we’re out. By December the collapse of the empire was complete. Gorbachev resigned on Christmas Day, and on December 26, 1991, the Soviet Union officially dissolved.
Boris Yeltsin was president of Russia, which was the largest republic in the former USSR, and he led the formation of the “Commonwealth of Independent States” as a cooperative entity among many former Soviet republics. Boris also took control of the launch codes for their several thousand nukes.
Internationally, Gorbachev is mostly celebrated for ending the Cold War. At home, many Russians were pissed at him for letting their great empire collapse, precipitating an economic crisis. Make no mistake, Gorby still controlled a massive military and could have fought to keep the Soviet Union together. It would have been ghastly, with countless deaths. But he just let it go, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize. Nevertheless, the loss of empire created a vacuum filled by crime, corruption, and right-wing nationalism.
Those who cannot remember the past need a history teacher who says “fuck” a lot. Get both volumes of “On This Day in History Sh!t Went Down” at JamesFell.com/books. They make great gifts, and ‘tis the fuckin’ season!
Because I’m at this point in the fic, here’s some translation from one of the FFV trading cards.
117. Golem Since ancient times, the legendary guardian deity Golem has been worshiped as a spirit of the phantasmic* world who protects people from evil forces. However, 30 years ago, an evil power fearing its strength summoned it to this world, stealing its memories at the same time its ability to return to the phantasmic world was lost. The defeat of the magical beast that sealed away its powers and memories is the only way Golem can return again to the phantasmic world.
I’m curious to know which 魔獣 was responsible for Golem losing their memories and ability to go back home. Might be ExDeath? But ExDeath is notably not an animal of any sort. Maybe one of his lieutenants?
Anyway, not sure how useful this will be since Golem’s just there in the game, but I’m always open to fodder for the divertimenti to the main fic.
*This is the same word translated to visions in the FFBE games. Alternatively, illusions. Related to espers and summons and whatnot. So, go with what works for you. I’m not your boss.
The Challenge: Comment on every fanfic you read and enjoy in the month of January.
Every chapter. Every one shot. Every drabble. Every ficlet. Whether it’s on a personal website, a blog, or an archive. Whether you’ve read it a hundred times before or you’re reading it for the first time. Whether the fic was posted years ago or minutes ago. Whether you sign your name or leave your thoughts anonymously. Whether your comment is paragraphs in length or a few short words. Comment on every fanfic you read and enjoy in the month of January.
The Philosophy: Comments are what keep a fandom thriving and growing.
We don’t see comments as a transaction. They’re not a price paid for reading a fic. We see comments as an interaction, a way of building relationships. Comments are a courtesy, not a currency. [x]
Fandom is a relationship between dozens,hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of fans, and the only way for the greater fandom relationship to function, is for those fans to interact. One way to interact is by writing and reading fanfic. A writer prompts an interaction by posting their work; it is up to the reader to then acknowledge (or not acknowledge).
“Comment if you can, but don’t be bullied or pressured into it. A comment should be written in the same spirit as the fic itself: wanting to reach out to other people who love the same fandom as you do. It’s not easy to do that, I know, and I don’t hold it against you at all if you can’t.”
The Only Rule: Be kind.
Be kind to your fandoms’ writers.
Please note that this challenge is to “comment on every fanfic you read and enjoy in the month of January.” As our fandom forebears were fond of saying, “Don’t like, don’t read.” For FaFiCoWriMo, we have taken that one step further by saying, “Don’t like, don’t comment.”
No matter how well-intentioned, critique is useless unless it comes from a place of trust. Unless you know an author personally and they have specifically asked for your critique, please keep it to yourself.
It costs zero of your currency and zero of your time to not be a jerk.
Be kind to yourself.
If you do find yourself unable to comment on every fic (for whatever reason), remember this:we forgive you, zero judgement. [x]
As you may unfortunately be aware, scammers are currently flooding fanfiction comments with art commission scams (more info on the scam and what to look out for here). And we’re absolutely sick of it. So here’s our solution! Fanart Frenzy - an event designed to counteract these scammers and their impact on the fanfiction community, as well as raise awareness of their evolving scams.
What is Fanart Frenzy?
Fanart Frenzy is a month-long bingo event designed to bring a wave of fanfiction-inspired fanart into the community, entirely free and unsolicited, as fandom is supposed to be, in order to stem the flow of these scammers, encourage our favorite fic writers, and liven up our fandoms. This event is anti-AI - real, human-made art only! Our first event will take place from January 1-31, 2026.
How does it work?
You can sign up via our sign up form! In late December, we’ll send out bingo cards to each participant with prompts guiding you towards fics in your fandom to make art for. (Ex. Make art for a fic with no comments). Throughout January, you can make as few or as many pieces of art as you like - you can aim for a bingo, a blackout, or just pick one fic you really want to make art for. Post your work anywhere you’d normally post it, then share it with the writer and the Fanart Frenzy community.
Can’t draw?
No worries! This event is about all kinds of art, not just traditional art - everything from playlists to gif sets to cookies to fiber arts, memes, and more. Anything artistic you can do inspired by a fanfic is perfect for this event.
If you don’t enjoy making art, the event also includes a Comment Challenge! During sign up, you can choose a bingo card with only art-related prompts, only commenting-related prompts, or a mix of the two. Non-artists can participate alongside artists by following the prompts to find fics in their fandoms in need of thoughtful, kind comments. (Ex. Leave a comment on a fic you’ve reread.)
You can also help us out by spreading the word! Please tell your friends and fandom communities about our event!
If you’d like to join our event team as an official promoter in your fandom(s), please indicate your interest in our entry form! If we have an opening for someone in your fandom, we’ll get in touch! More info on becoming a promoter and what that entails here.
Before the event starts, please join us on our discord server, follow us here on tumblr or on reddit and bluesky!
Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Please drop them here or send us a message and we’ll answer as soon as possible!
now say it with me: authors/artists dont owe you moral purity. an author/artist job is not to hold you by the hand & tell you exactly what is Good™ & what is Bad™. you should be able to think for yourself
“yes but depictions of (morally questionable thing) are only okay if its punished in the story” thats the hays code. you just reinvented the hays code
i don’t think people understand how much of life is grief. not just people dying, but losing the version of yourself you thought you’d become. grieving the city you had to leave. the friends you lost not in argument, but in silence. the summer that will never come back. the feeling that maybe you peaked at 12 when you were reading books under the covers and believing in forever
Botanically-accurate Yule log cake 2025 reveal: Shagbark hickory with chicken of the woods, puffballs, green-stain, and rhizomorphs of honey mushroom that didn’t show up well in this photo. Orange cake, cranberry filling, chocolate ganache and chocolate shags. I’d wanted to make a shagbark log for like 10 years now and it turned out great!
i know this is a predator. like a hardened killing machine. tempered by hundreds of years of evolutionary prowess to fine tune him into a living weapon. but ohhhh the little BABYYY look at the Little Bouncing Baby he is going Boing Boing Boing oh my gooddddd
coworker today was talking about how she tries to drive less to reduce her carbon footprint, so instead of ordering takeout she orders delivery. when I pointed out that this actually results in the exact same amount of emissions because the same amount of driving happens she said “yeah but it’s not me driving.” and I feel like any critique of progressive individualism I could make based on this would fall flat because like. what else is there to say? she summed up the flaws of individualist environmentalism better than most critics could, without intending to.
okay well given the number of tags that seem to think the problem is how she’s calculating her personal carbon footprint and not the idea of a “personal carbon footprint” maybe I should have elaborated some
ALT
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