Masculinity

• Approved by the pope on March 25, 2024, the Vatican declaration asserts the Vatican’s opposition to gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy.
• Even in the ancient Roman Empire, individuals could transgress traditional conceptions of gender roles in various ways.
• As a scholar of Greek and Latin literature, I have studied the “Galli,” male followers of the goddess Cybele.

Cybele: Mother of the gods

In the philosophical treatise “Hymn to the Mother of the Gods,” Julian the Philosopher, the last pagan emperor of the Roman empire, writes about the history of the cult of Cybele. In this treatise, he describes the cult’s main figures and how some of its rites were performed.

• Often referred to as the Mother of the Gods, Cybele was first worshiped in Anatolia.
• Cybele’s cult gave rise to a group of male followers, or attendants, known as Galli.
• Among the surviving material evidence related to their existence are sculptures, as well as a Roman burial of an individual Gallus discovered in Northern England.

Attis: Cybele’s human companion

A statue from Ostia, Rome’s port city, depicts a reclining Attis, Cybele’s youthful male human companion.

• In their tellings of Cybele’s myth, Greek and Roman authors give differing versions for Attis’ self-castration.
• The Roman poet Catullus describes how Cybele puts Attis into a state of frenzy, during which he castrates himself.

Material evidence for the Galli

A relief sculpture from Lanuvium, now at the Musei Capitolini in Rome and dated to the second century C.E, is one of the few surviving representations of a Gallus.

• The sculpted figure is adorned with an elaborate headdress or crown, a torque necklace and a small breastplate, as well as ornate clothing.
• At Cataractonium, a Roman fort in Northern England, a skeleton was uncovered in the necropolis of Bainesse during excavations in 1981-82.
• An examination of the bones, however, revealed that the remains were those of a young man – likely in his early twenties.

Respect for Galli

• Galli, unlike other men in Rome or its empire, were able to openly present themselves or live as women, regardless of their assigned sex or how they identified.
• Catullus’ poem and comments by other authors indicate that they perceived the gender of the Galli as differing from Roman concepts of masculinity.
• However, the Galli were also, reluctantly, respected for the role they played in Cybele’s cult.
• It is tempting to see the Galli as nonbinary or transgender individuals, even though the Romans did not know or use concepts such as nonbinary or transgender.

Tina Chronopoulos does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• At the time, these lines were seen as just another gem in a long line of highly sophisticated, literary Nas lyrics.
• In many ways a verbal successor to Nas, Lamar controversially won an actual Pulitzer prize for music.
• Like Lamar, Nas is as highly esteemed in the street as he is in academic circles.

One Love breaks new ground

• The Illmatic track One Love (1994) introduced the “epistolary narrative”, or written letter technique, to the rap genre.
• As journalist, educator and author Dax-Devlon Ross explains, One Love contains “a series of prison letters set to song”, which “effectively began the epistolary sub-genre” of rap.
• Notable advocates of the technique include one-time rival of Nas, Tupac Shakur, releasing Dear Mama a year after One Love.

Illmatic’s legacy

• Released two years after One Love, Xzibit utilised rap’s newly established epistolary sub-genre to pen an emotive open letter to his young son.
• The Foundation addresses themes prevalent in the male African American experience, such as lineage, loyalty, masculinity and the paternal bond.

Nas today

• In recent years, Nas has reached a purple patch of creativity, and released a flourish of well received albums, including both the King’s Disease (2020) and the Magic series.
• When brought into the running of “top five dead or alive” rap debates, Nas is often quick to deflect from comparison, stating that there “ain’t no best”.
• As Nas said himself in 2022: “I probably don’t need a therapist because I have music.” It’s hard to think of another rapper of his generation who has opened up so many doors for the artform.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.
Paul Stephen Adey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Even if you haven’t heard of fintech, you’re probably using it for payments, banking or investments.
• Women account for just 4% of CEOs, only 18% of executive committee members, and a mere 7.7% of entrepreneurs within fintech.
• Gender inequalities in each of these combine to form what we call a “triple glass ceiling” in the fintech industry.
• The longstanding male dominance, continued privileging of masculinity, and rigid gender stereotypes in each of these sectors hinder meaningful progress and change in fintech.

So, where are all the women?

• Several interviewees noted that women typically work harder and push more to gain the same result as their male peers.
• However, ideas that get dismissed when suggested by a woman commonly gain credence when offered by a man.
• Women.

• Only 1.5% of chief technology officers or chief information officers are women – a reflection of the technology glass ceiling.
• Since people are more likely to relate to and fund entrepreneurs similar to themselves, male-led ventures are more successful.
• Successful entrepreneurs have traditionally been male, leading to a male stereotype of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial success.

What does this mean for you?

• If people build and develop products based on their own frustrations and day-to-day living, innovation can only truly be driven by diverse people with different backgrounds and experiences.
• If made aware of the gender inequalities in the industry, fintech users can be a voice for change.
• Shattering the triple glass ceiling represents an immense challenge, but we cannot be allowed to fail.

Chloe Fox-Robertson receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). While working on this project Dariusz Wojcik received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant no. 681337). Authors bear all responsibility for the content.

• MIAMI , March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Perry Ellis International, Inc. (PEI) is pleased to announce the release of Original Penguin Blue Label, a new fragrance for men.
• This launch catapults the iconic American brand into a new era of fragrance, while remaining true to the brand's ethos of "an Original Good Time."
• Blue Label boasts a vibrant and inviting aura to compliment the accessibility and originality of the brand.
• Encapsulating the playful allure of the brand, Blue Label is an aromatic marine-inspired scent that's characterized by freshness, aspiration and dynamism.