Seneca’s Epistle 95 and the Convivial Background of Romans 1:26–27

Seneca’s invective against the perversion affiliated with Roman banquets is a neglected parallel to Rom 1.26–27. Its resonances, however, make it plausible that the 'aberrant' acts associated with the convivia stand in the background of Rom 1.26–27. Despite the disparity of details in Rom 1.26–27, it is likely that such convivial misconduct would have occurred in the minds of Paul’s audience in Rome. The proposed background lends more support to an interpretation of Rom 1.26–27 that centers on aggressive free-for-all parties involving multiple consensual partners, professional courtesans, exploited prostitutes, and abused children.