Many of the men cited lived in eras where a romantic/sexual relationship between and older man and a younger man, or even boy, were not uncommon. Plus, quite often, the younger was of a "lower" economic and social status. Clearly, being involved in a pederastic relationship was of some benefit to the younger male. It was not about abuse (such as pedophilia is) although quite often there were power dynamics involved, with the older, higher status man holding the power, although — arguably — the younger 'beloved' held power too by virtue of his being the object of desire. Such dynamics are never black and white….