Hi, r/AskHistorians! I'm writing an article (for Australian magazine ARCHER) about the history of masturbation, and while I've done some research I'd like to hear some expert opinions (as you can imagine, the topic of historical masturbation is difficult to research online.
I'm specifically looking into male masturbation, and have heard about Egyptian religious activities (the Pharaoh masturbating into the Nile) and pagans in the Middle East, but was wondering if anyone could provide a bit more information. Thanks!
Don't know if it's within your area of investigation, but you might be interest in this little bit I put down from our AMA earlier this week. The Moche are a contemporaneous society (100-700 AD) on the North Coast of Peru, and they made a number of vessels with masturbating skeletons. In short, these are though to represent ancestors giving life to the next generations. I'm sure I could discuss more on the topic if it's relevant.
Mind linking to me your source for the Roman bit? I'm curious.