Earliest Voyeur

[monzu]

Deviant Sexuality


Earliest Voyeur
Holder of this record is a common man turned king, Gyges (r. c. 680-c. 652 BC), who attained his position by murdering the former ruler after seeing his wife in the altogether. Though he will forever be remembered as a usurper and lush, it is interesting to note that he didn't have much choice in the matter.

It began when the vainglorious king of Lydia, Candaules, believing his wife to be the most beautiful woman in the world, boasts of her sex appeal to one of his bodyguards, a man named Gyges. Sensing his disbelief, he felt the only way to prove himself right was for Gyges to see his wife nude. The bodyguard demurred, saying such an act would dishonor the queen and that "one should mind one's own business." More likely he was afraid of the horrific punishment awaiting him if he were caught. But Candaules was adamant. He arranges for him to hide behind the door of their nuptial chamber. When his queen enters and
undresses for the evening, Gyges gets a good look at her exquisite physique, and sneaks out of the room when her back is turned. Unfortunately, "the woman glimpsed him as he went out, and perceived what her husband had done. But though shamed, she did not cry out or let it be seen that she had perceived anything, for she meant to punish Candaules." She prepared those of her household that was most faithful, and summoned Gyges. When he came, the lady addressed him, "Now, Gyges, you have two ways before you; decide which you will follow. You must either kill Candaules and take me and the throne of Lydia for your
own, or be killed yourself now without more ado; that will prevent you from obeying all Candaules' commands in the future and seeing what you should not see. One of you must die: either he, the contriver of this plot, or you, who have outraged all custom by looking on me uncovered." (Herodotus, Histories 1.8-11)

He reluctantly agrees to her demands and ambushes Candaules in the bedchamber. She keeps up her end of the deal, and thus married to the very woman he ogled, he rules Lydia for 28 years.

[TIPU]

a woman is as dangerous as she is fickle.....