lamb intestines, silk paper, animal horns, leather – it’s hard to believe any of these materials were used as contraceptives prior to the condom we know now. it turns out that even in ancient history, when it came to sex, people always found a way. after all, a libido is no modern thing — but back then, the focus was less on birth control and far more on how to prevent disease.
the aforementioned materials were used to create the earliest condoms recorded in history, dating back to 1000 c.e. according to aine collier’s
the humble little condom: a history, linen sheaths were most commonly used by ancient egyptians. men even wore ones in different colours to symbolize their social status. (sort of how some might judge by size these days.)
the ancient romans used linen as well, and also opted for sheep and goat intestines or bladders with ribbons tied around the base. while that might be the toughest type of historical condom to wrap one’s head around, it’s debated how the lambskin condom came to be. rumour has it that the romans also used the muscle tissue of dead enemy soldiers, though how that idea was formulated and facilitated has no clear evidence. but, again, when one feels the urge…
in 3000 b.c.,
king minos of crete, in particular, was referenced as having used a goat’s bladder sheath during sex, though it’s still unclear whether he or his wife pasiphae was the one to wear it, according to an
indian journal of urology article. why did he resort to such methods? well, it was said that the man had “serpents and scorpions” in his semen, awaiting to enter and attack the women whom he fornicated with. so dangerous was his seed that his mistresses had a habit of dying shortly after having sex with him. in came the goat’s bladder — though whether its goal was to protect the woman or for the king to be able to produce an heir is up for debate — and, soon after, eight children. how fruitful!
5 minute read
