Lombards, an ancient Germanic people who settled in northern Italy during the late Roman Empire, practiced a form of polytheistic religion known as "paganism." Within their society, there were many taboos surrounding sexual conduct that were believed to have spiritual implications. These regulations pertained to both individual behaviors within marriage and extramarital relationships. Sexual intercourse was considered sacred and necessary for the continuation of human life, but it also carried significant religious implications. This paper will explore how Lombard pagans viewed sex and its relationship to their religious beliefs and practices.
The Lombards believed that the gods had created humans for procreation, and therefore sex was an essential part of human existence.
This did not mean that they could engage in sexual activity without restrictions. Lombards saw sex as a sacred act between two people, which must be performed under certain conditions.
If a man wanted to marry a woman from another tribe or clan, he had to receive permission from her family beforehand. If a man engaged in adultery, his wife would be obligated to divorce him, and he would have to pay a fine.
If a couple wanted to separate, they had to go through a lengthy legal process to dissolve the marriage. In contrast, polygamy was widely accepted among Lombard nobility.
In Lombard mythology, sexuality played an important role in the creation of the world. According to legend, the first goddess, Nerthus, emerged from the primordial waters to create all living things. She gave birth to the god Wodan (Odin), who then mated with her to produce two sons, Thor and Baldur. Later on, Wodan married the goddess Freya, with whom he had many children. These stories highlighted the importance of fertility in Lombard culture and how it was linked to religious worship. Lombards often made offerings to their gods to ensure successful breeding of livestock, crops, and humans.
Lombard women were expected to remain virgins until their wedding day. Once married, they were expected to submit to their husbands' sexual desires and bear children for the continuation of the tribe.
Extramarital relationships were highly frowned upon and punished harshly. If a woman had sex outside of her marriage, she could be killed by stoning or banished from the community. Similarly, men who committed adultery faced similar penalties. Lombards believed that these acts threatened the stability of society and could lead to social unrest.
Despite its strict rules, Lombard paganism still allowed for some erotic expression.
Couples could engage in lovemaking before marriage if they promised each other eternal love and fidelity.
There were festivals where people could express themselves physically without fear of repercussions. One such festival was called "Blót," which involved drinking mead, dancing around a bonfire, and singing songs about love and desire.
Lombard paganism placed great emphasis on sexual norms and regulations. Sexual intercourse within marriage was seen as sacred but restricted, while extramarital relationships were forbidden. The religion also incorporated sexual themes into its mythology, highlighting the importance of fertility and procreation. While there were opportunities for erotic expression, Lombards viewed sex as a serious matter with spiritual implications.
In Lombard paganism, how did sexual norms intersect with religious obligations and spiritual cultivation?
Lombard pagans practiced polytheistic beliefs and worshiped various deities, including goddesses of love and fertility such as Freya and Venus, who were associated with sexuality. While there was no explicit set of moral guidelines for sexual behavior outside of marriage, there is evidence that monogamy was generally accepted among Lombardic people.