古罗马社会中存在追求女性同性关系的女性群体，她们在1世纪的讽刺文献中被塑造成"tribas"这一讽刺人物形象[1]。"tribas"一词源自古希腊语"tríbō"，意为"摩擦"或"磨损"[1]。这些文学漫画人物被用来嘲笑那些被视为"失败男人"的女性，反映了罗马社会对女性同性关系的态度[1]。
在诗人Martial的《讽刺诗集》等少数讽刺作品中出现的tribas形象，实际上揭示了古罗马性别与权力体系的深层含义[1]。罗马理想男性被定义为政治、社会和性方面的"活跃者"，通过性征服来巩固权力[1]。Martial笔下的菲劳埃尼斯人物"每天满足11个女孩，硬度超过男人的"，展现出超越罗马男性的体能耐力[1]。这些女性实际上挑战了罗马男性中心的性别和权力规范[1]。古罗马人对不涉及穿透或阴茎的性行为理解困难，可能用"olisbos"（假阳具）来解释女性间的性关系[1]。
The literary figure of the tribas in first-century Roman satire provides a window into female same-sex relationships in ancient Rome and the social anxieties they provoked.[1] The term itself derives from ancient Greek, meaning "to rub" or "to wear away."[1] These figures appeared in satirical works, including the collections of the poet Martial, where they were depicted as women pursuing same-sex relationships with other women, often portrayed mockingly as "failed men."[1]
In Roman society, the ideal man was defined as an "active" participant in politics, society, and sexual matters, with sexual conquest serving to consolidate power and status.[1] The tribas figure challenged this male-centered framework by embodying sexual agency and physical prowess that exceeded conventional expectations. Martial's characterization of Philaenis exemplifies this subversion: the figure was described as satisfying eleven girls daily with a hardness surpassing that of men, demonstrating stamina and capability that transcended Roman masculine norms.[1] Romans struggled to conceptualize sexual acts that did not involve penetration or a penis, and may have turned to the concept of the "olisbos"—a dildo—to make sense of such encounters.[1]
