Top 4 History’s Greatest Sex Scandals You Don’t Know
Delving into the sex scandals of history, we encounter a tapestry woven with intrigue and forbidden desires. From the debauchery of Roman emperors to the tumultuous courts of England, tales of lust, betrayal, and power reverberate through the ages. Let us embark on a journey through time as we unveil four of history’s most shocking sex scandals, each leaving their own unforgettable stories.
History’s sex scandals
Of course, history is riddled with tales of adultery, love, desire, and much much more that we can only scratch the surface of in this article. Throughout the ages, people of power have led promiscuous lives at the expense of themselves, their subjects, their family, and their country.
Today we are deep-diving into some of the most famous sex scandals in history, with the details you didn’t know about…
Statue of Caligula, image sourced from: www.history.com
Caligula: Emperor of Debauchery
Known for his cruelty and strange love for his horse who often treated better than his subjects, Coligula reined over ancient Rome with seemingly no moral boundaries.
Often holding mandatory orgies at his palace, Caligula would invite those of high social standing to bring their wives, sisters, and daughters to join in. From indulging in liaisons with other wives to fraternising with prostitutes, the cruel emperor was also fond of going out at night to brothels to enjoy himself with the workers. Upon leaving, he would burn the establishment to the ground and leave nothing but ash behind.
Painting of Charles II, image sourced from: www.historic-uk.com
Charles II: The Merry Monarch’s Reign of Pleasure
With a reputation for scandalous parties, Charles II reigned from 1660 – 1685 and left behind many tales of his historical sex scandals, the most famous of which was his transformation of the English court.
When he returned from France, he brought with him his experiences of the French court, involving sexual courtiers and women to change the English court into a palace of desire and pleasure where women and men alike were encouraged to gamble, drink, and partake in sexual acts with each other.
Death of King Candaules, painting by Giovanni Battista Pittoni, image sourced from: www.wikidata.org
Candaules: A Tale of Obsession and Betrayal
In the ancient kingdom of Lydia, King Candaules’s obsession with his wife’s beauty led to a tragic chain of events which resulted in his assassination.
King of Lydia in the early years of the 7th century BC, Candaules ‘saw his wife as the most beautiful woman on earth’, often telling his bodyguard of his wife’s unmatched beauty. After the bodyguard didn’t believe him, Candaules invited him to watch his wife undress and view her naked.
Not wanting to disobey the king, the bodyguard eventually agreed and hid in the queen’s bed chamber to watch her undress. Unfortunately, the queen noticed him and feeling violated and dishonoured, conspired to overthrow her husband and claim the throne for herself by demanding the bodyguard kill Candaules and take his place as king.
Candaules was stabbed to death by his favourite bodyguard at the command of his wife.
Painting of Anne Boleyn, image sourced from: www.historyhit.com
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn: A Royal Tragedy
Although many of us will know the story of Henry the 8th and his 6 wives, the details of his affair with Anne Boleyn are not commonly known.
As we all know, Henry the 8th had not 1, not 2, but 6 wives during his reign, each with their own story which even inspired the hit musical SIX which details each wife’s experience in magnificent musical form.
For this scandal, however, we are focusing on Anne Boleyn, who at the age of 26, receives love letters from the king of England, Henry the 8th. With Henry desperate to rid himself of his current queen and finally heir a son, he had his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled, and married Anne.
In 1536, Henry lost interest in Anne and had her sent to the Tower of London on the charge of adultery and even the claim of incest with her brother. Although these claims were unlikely, Anne met her untimely end at the executioner’s blade, a victim of the king’s ruthless ambition.
What do these sex scandals tell us?
These 4 historical sex scandals offer a fascinating glimpse into the power that desire and lust had over some of our most famous historical figures. From the opulent courts of ancient Rome to the intrigue-filled corridors of Tudor England, these stories remind us that the pursuit of desire has always had its reign over history.
Looking for more sexy history? Check out our blog on the History of Sex Toys here.
This blog was created with the assistance of the AI language model: ChatGPT.