Masters of desire: the (re)erotization of the slave's body in cinematic and television representations of ancient Rome.

This article examines the cinematic portrayal of the sexual politics of Roman slavery, focusing on the eroticization and objectification of enslaved bodies, particularly in peplum films and related media. It identifies three recurring filmic clichés—slave auctions, gladiatorial combat, and sex between masters and slaves—that frame slaves as naked or near-naked objects of desire, often adorned with props like collars or chains that evoke domination and submission, resonating with BDSM imagery. While rooted in some historical practices, such as the partial nudity of slaves during sales, these representations largely reflect modern fantasies and visual traditions dating back to nineteenth-century art, rather than ancient Roman norms, which generally stigmatized public nudity. The article also highlights how these portrayals engage with gender and racial dynamics, including the fetishization of both male and female slave bodies, and notes the inversion of traditional gazes in some contemporary productions that depict sexually assertive elite women. Overall, it argues that popular media’s eroticized depiction of Roman slavery simultaneously critiques imperial power structures and caters to contemporary audiences’ desires, creating a complex interplay between historical reception and modern sexual imaginaries.