Children+in+Ancient+Greece

toc =Children in Ancient Greece=

**Birth & Infancy**
Before the technological innovations of the 19th and 20th centuries, childbirth was a dangerous and often fatal event for both the mother and the baby. Many newborns died during delivery or in the week following their birth. If a baby did survive its first week outside the womb, his or her chances of making it to age six were still not good. Selective infanticide was practiced in Ancient Greece. If a baby survived delivery but had an obvious disease or deformity, it was often left to die of exposure and neglect outdoors. Medical technology at the time did not permit for practical or efficacious treatment of most birth defects. Occasionally, these discarded newborns were retrieved by enterprising Greeks who attempted to raise them and use or sell them as slaves if they survived.

**Daily Life**
The daily life of a child in ancient Greece varied markedly depending on the family he or she was born into. The life of a slave was often marked by malnourishment and poor living conditions. Because much of our information about children in ancient Greece comes from 4th century BC Athens (Reichers 33), we cannot know with great certainty whether there were unusual customs or traditions in other poleis.

**Role of the Mother**
The deep connection we expect between mothers and daughters was likely not as strong in ancient Greece. Children might spend much of their earliest years being raised primarily by hired nurses or other relatives. Because daughters only remained at home until approximately age 13, it is likely that their relationship with their mother was one of mutual tolerance. Athenian sons lived at home for longer, and might receive some education from their mothers before and potentially during their formal schooling. A mother’s success and pride was often closely tied to her son’s status, and it is likely that mothers offered more affection and attention to their sons. Many mothers died during childbirth and were replaced with new wives. The family unit was thought to be comprised of the entire household, including the children of multiple women, slaves and servants and evolved over time, unlike the traditional concept of the western nuclear family.

**Role of the Father**
Although not necessarily absent, fathers are not often depicted interacting with their children in archaeological evidence.

**Education**
Greek families with the resources and access would have their sons educated in philosophy, arithmetic, rhetoric, music and athletics. Education started early and typically continued until young men entered the military around age 20. Male students were typically instructed by their //paidagogos// (male tutor) in all subjects, from music to combat (Reichers 31). While their male counterparts were being instructed by their tutors, females were likely to learn domestic arts from older women.

**Sparta**
Evidence suggests that childhood in Sparta was markedly different from childhood in the other city states. As soon as a Spartan baby was born, it was doused or dunked in wine to test its response. Although low fertility and survival rates incentivized the Spartans to preserve as many newborns as possible, it is likely that they discarded more of their newborns than other Greek poleis. Babies were raised by nurses, not their mothers and both boys and girls were taken to government barracks at age seven to begin harsh training regimens that could last until the men reached age 20. The girls were given some education and trained in hand-to-hand combat. This training meant that Spartan girls did not marry until much later than Athenians, typically around age 20, and usually to a man about ten years older. In Athens, a 12 year old girl could be married to a 33 year old man.

**Depiction in Art**
Our earliest artifacts from the ancient Greeks suggest that childhood was not a recognized developmental stage. In fact, children in black-figure vase paintings are depicted as miniature adults. It may not have been until the civilization matured that it was understood that children were distinctly different. Later, red-figure vase paintings accurately depict children transitioning from crawling infants to properly proportioned, chubby toddlers and eventually adolescents.

**Bibliography**
Cole, Susan. “Review: Childhood in Greece.” The Classical Review 55.1 (2005): 211-213. Jstor. Web. 25 June 2011.

Garland, Robert. "MOTHER AND CHILD IN THE GREEK WORLD." History Today 36.3 (1986): 40. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Web. 25 June 2011.

King, Margaret. “Concepts of Childhood: What We Know and Where We Might Go.” Renaissance Quarterly 60.2 (2007): 371-407. JStor. Web. 25 June 2011.

Mulrine, Anna. "Coming of age in ancient times." U.S. News & World Report 136.4 (2004): 54. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Web. 25 June 2011.

Riechers, Maggie. "Growing Up in Ancient Greece." Humanities 24.4 (2003): 30-33. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Web. 25 June 2011.

Singer, P. W. "CHILDREN AT WAR." Military History 24.6 (2007): 50-55. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Web. 25 June 2011.

Unknown. //Woman Carrying a Child on her Shoulder// c. 500-475 BC. J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, CA. © Steven Gilbert.

Unknown. //Gravestone of Demainete.// c. 310 BC. J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, CA. © Steven Gilbert.