In the fifth century BC the culture of Athens reached its pinnacle. The city was powerful, respected and replete with the best musicians, orators, playwrights and poets. Athenian society had an extremely enlightened view of homosexual relationships, particularly those between older men and young boys. It was accepted as normal that certain men were attracted to boys and that it was better for a man to satiate his urges in a civilised, controlled manner rather than to be filled with sexual frustration.

So the institution of the catamite developed. Catamites were young boys who were kept for the sexual pleasure of their masters. However, the obligations attached to this relationship were two-way. Masters were expected to feed, clothe, educate and generally care for the catamite. In return, the catamite was required to yield submissively to his master as a mark of affection and respect.

Boys who exhibited girlish behaviour from an early age often grew up to be catamites. They were generally effeminate in appearance and demeanour and could often be recognised by their wearing of the long embroidered women's chiton, made from pleated linen, rather than the short, plain male tunic. They wore cosmetics, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, frequently presents given by their grateful masters, and styled their long hair in elaborate ways. They were not despised for this, as people recognised that their inclination and upbringing dictated their preference for feminine things.

The sexual act between master and catamite was idealised in poetry and plays, being seen as a beautiful expression of love. It was also the subject of many learned treatises, and the chemists and herbalists of Athens produced a plethora of concoctions to facilitate anal intercourse between men and boys.

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Ariston was puzzled. His master, Xeno, had called him to his study saying he had something very important to discuss with him. Ariston was a blond, blue-eyed beauty of around thirteen, although his exact age was uncertain as he had been found wandering around the countryside a few years before in a dazed state. Where he had come from no-one knew. Xeno had taken him into his household and had grown in affection for him. In fact, it was now more than affection; it was desire. Xeno was going to take the boy as a lover and was going to inform him of his wish.

Xeno was a wealthy middle-aged nobleman with a large household and many slaves, one of whom - Timon - was a teenage boy serving as his catamite. The libido of Xeno was well known as was his taste for pretty young boys; his custom was to make love twice a day: upon rising and before sleeping. He had married at twenty but had quickly grown tired of marriage. He sent his wife off with a settlement, disliking her moodiness and unpredictability. He found boys to be infinitely more congenial as bed companions.

In his youth he would often fuck three boys in sex sessions lasting up to two hours; now he preferred the intimacy of a single partner.

"Now then, my sweet," Xeno said, patting his knees to invite Ariston to sit on his lap, as he often did. Immediately Xeno put his arm around him and began to run his fingers through the boy's gorgeous shoulder-length blonde hair. "You know you are very dear to me?" Ariston smiled and nodded. Xeno had taken him in and treated him as a son. He was very happy in this household. "When a man loves a boy as much as I love you, well that love needs, how shall I put it?, a physical consummation. Do you understand me my sweet?"

"No master."

Xeno realised it was pointless trying to explain in a roundabout way. "I wish to take you to my bed, my darling." Now Ariston understood. His adorable blue eyes widened in astonishment. "I hear from Demetria that you are now producing seminal emissions?" Ariston blushed deeply at the memory of how the slave girl, who had almost brought him up since he had come to Xeno's household, had caught him masturbating. Unfortunately it had been when he was almost at the point of orgasm and he couldn't help but spurt his semen on the floor. Demetria, however, merely smiled, telling him not to worry, that it was something all boys did of his age and that it was good for him.

"What I'm saying, my sweet, is that you are no longer a child, and therefore I may give you physical love." Indeed, Ariston knew that he bedded Timon every day but he never thought that this would one day happen to him. "I have asked Hilarion to prepare you so that I may deflower you on the feast of Zeus, in three weeks' time. You may also sit by my bed one night whilst I make love to Timon so you can see what will be expected of you."

"I will do whatever is pleasing to my master," said Ariston.

"Good boy," said Xeno, kissing the boy on the cheek. He couldn't wait for the day to come, such was the strength of his desire. "Now run along and go to Hilarion." Hilarion had been Xeno's first lover, and had shared his master's bed on many an occasion. He knew well what pleased the master during the act of love.

So for three weeks Hilarion, the chief slave, gave Ariston instruction on the art of receiving a man. He also gave him daily doses of a powerful aphrodisiac, so that he might be more passionate in his master's bed. In addition he was told he must cleanse his anus thoroughly before and after being penetrated and to practice stretching his sphincter using a small oiled courgette. Ariston paid rapt attention to this instruction, being determined not to be disgraced on his big day.

The night Ariston spent in his master's bedroom was a real eye-opener for him. Xeno invariably followed the same routine: he would kiss and caress his boy for several minutes to warm him up, then undress him and lubricate his love opening. Timon would then suck Xeno's member for about ten minutes before allowing himself to be penetrated. Xeno was a real sexual athlete and could fuck for thirty minutes or so before he came to orgasm. He always came inside the boy, either in his anus or his mouth, as spurting semen on the body was considered vulgar.

The time passed. The feast of Zeus was eagerly anticipated by all. It was a day of equality between slaves and masters. Both ate and drank the same things, enjoyed the same entertainment and just generally had a good time. It was a day of double celebration in Xeno's household, since it was also the day he would publicly take Ariston as his second catamite.

Demetria had prepared Ariston impeccably. She had rubbed honey into his skin to give him a sweet scent and curled his long blonde hair, which was embellished with a headband. His lips and cheeks were powdered red. All the guests at the feast wanted to cuddle and kiss him, and many remarked that he was quite the prettiest boy they had ever seen. Ariston was quite flattered by all the attention, but Timon, became quite jealous of him, not really liking the idea of sharing his master's bed with anyone.

It was a quite splendid feast, full of joy, music and frivolity. As dusk fell, it was time for Xeno to consummate his union with Ariston. Xeno took him in his arms, picked him up, and carried him to his chamber, to the applause of all.

But Ariston was nervous. His heart was pumping as they entered the master's chamber. He felt a tingling in his genitals: the aphrodisiacs had begun to take effect. Xeno smiled benignly at the sight of Ariston; he looked more beautiful than ever with his exquisitely curled golden locks. "I have wanted to do this for a very long time, my sweet boy!" Immediately Xeno put his arms around him and squeezed him tightly. Xeno pressed his mouth to the ruby red lips of Ariston and kissed him deeply and passionately, his tongue probing the boy's sweet young mouth. Ariston tried to remember what he had been taught and put his arms around his master's neck, gently surrendering to the ardour of the older man.

They continued thus for several minutes, then Xeno' hands found their way under Ariston's chiton until they rested on his tender young buttocks, which he fondled through his tight genital covering. Catamites were frequently obliged to wear such a covering, which kept the penis and scrotum nicely tucked in and prevented any unsightly bulges. It also discouraged them from playing with themselves and wasting their passionate urges.

Xeno massaged the soft young flesh, anticipating the delights to come. "Oh Zeus, how lovely you are Ariston! I want you so much my little darling!" Xeno could wait no longer and unpinned Ariston' chiton, uncovering his exquisite slim body. He then covered the boy's neck with kisses, whilst caressing his slender thighs. The master finally unpinned the genital covering. Ariston's little prick sprang up, fully erect, which caused the boy to blush deeply, but which was gratifying to Xeno, seeing the boy's state of arousal.

Xeno now removed his own tunic and pressed the boy's naked body against his own. The contrast of Xeno's muscular body and the boy's hairless, delicate frame was plain to see. Xeno pressed his already hard cock against the boy's soft young belly. He continued to kiss Ariston passionately, whilst kneading his buttocks. "Now I want you to suck me my boy!"

Ariston knelt before Xeno and took a man's erection in his hand for the first time. He had been forewarned by Hilarion that he would be required to give his master oral pleasure. He tentatively began to run his tongue over the gland, drawing moans of enjoyment from his master. Ariston concentrated on his master's sensitive frenulum, lapping at it with his little tongue, occasionally venturing down to the balls. Xeno found the boy's amateurish fellatio utterly delightful.

Ariston gained in confidence, and began to suck the gland vigorously whilst following Hilarion's advice to always produce plenty of saliva and to rub the foreskin from time to time. "Oh my darling," exclaimed Xeno, "that feels utterly divine!" The boy continued for several minutes, until his master gently restrained him. "Get over my knee, darling boy, whilst I lubricate you!"

Ariston did as he was asked. He had quite the most delectable bottom Xeno had ever seen. Xeno took a vessel of warmed olive oil and poured a generous measure on the boy's buttocks, massaged them thoroughly with the oil, then gently probed the boy's love opening with his forefinger. Ariston moaned softly; evidently this exploration was to his liking. Xeno inserted a second finger and worked the oil in for several minutes whilst widening the boy's anus.

Xeno stood the boy up and lay on his bed. "Now I want you to turn your back to me and sit on my cock. Just take this very slowly and gently, my angel."

"Please don't hurt me master!" Ariston implored.

"My little darling! That is the very last thing on my mind! I only want to give you pleasure, my sweet!" Xeno reassured the boy by kissing and cuddling him.

Ariston straddled Xeno and spread his buttocks, preparing to be entered for the very first time. Very carefully he pressed his anal opening against the tip of Xeno's hard cock and eased down on it. He managed to get the first inch or so inside but couldn't help but whimper at the discomfort. Xeno, experienced in taking boys' virginity, poured a phial of clear liquid into a cloth and asked Ariston to inhale deeply. Ariston did so and immediately felt groggy but also more relaxed. His sphincter distended and, to his delight, he found he could slide all the way down Xeno's erection. He still felt a measure of discomfort and anxiety but this was more than compensated for by his sense of achievement at taking the full length of his master's shaft.

For a few minutes Xeno slid very slowly in and out of the boy, not wishing to cause any pain. But, sensing that Ariston was becoming relaxed, his thrusting became a little more vigorous. Gradually the discomfort faded, and Ariston began to experience the sweet pleasure of penetration. His girlish moans only increased the lust of his master.

"Oh my sweet angel! I'm so proud of you! Now I'm just going to turn you on your side my darling." Slowly Xeno did so then began to thrust in and out of the boy's tight orifice. It always felt especially wonderful to take a virgin boy, but today was exceptional. The feeling of the boy's sphincter gripping the base of Xeno's erect member at each thrust was exhilarating. Xeno repeatedly kissed Ariston, whilst continuing to fuck.

Xeno then withdrew from the boy, and asked him to lie on his back with his legs spread and raised. Ariston rested his legs on Xeno's shoulders and once again the master pushed his cock into the boy and recommenced his fucking, now with regular, steady strokes. Every now and then, Xeno would bend over and kiss the boy ardently on the lips. Gradually, Ariston relaxed, closed his eyes, and began to savour the experience.

After a few minutes in this position, Xeno placed the boy on all fours and again entered him. Xeno was now thrusting with such force that his powerful thighs were slapping against the boy's little bottom at each stroke. "Oh darling, I'm climaxing!" Xeno gave one last powerful lunge and spurted his seed ecstatically into the boy. On withdrawing, some of Xeno's copious discharge trickled out of Ariston's love opening and down his thighs.

Ariston smiled at his master, who, overcome with emotion, merely said "I love you my baby" and kissed him on the cheek.

Ariston cleansed himself and snuggled contentedly against his master, satisfied he had done his duty as a new catamite.