Spaces, gender and transgression in the ancient city

Abstract

Educational practices in the ancient polis were always connected with the transmission of extremely codified rules concerning gender roles and the dimension of physical and symbolic space. Nevertheless, some educational practices were seen as transgressive with respect to these norms and codifications. In particular, certain practices that took place in spaces perceived of as outside the walls of the polis evoked the multiplicity of individual sexual identity. The paper reflects on these educational practices connected with the cross-dressing.