AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE
<em>Infanticide has been a subject of scholarly fascination, attracting researchers from diverse disciplines, and leading to the abundance of scholarly literature on this topic. However, historians frequently employ the term "infanticide" broadly, encompassing both the deliberate act...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Mega Publishing House
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology |
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| Online Access: | https://jaha.org.ro/index.php/JAHA/article/view/1024 |
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| author | Lev Shir COSIJNS |
| author_facet | Lev Shir COSIJNS |
| author_sort | Lev Shir COSIJNS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <em>Infanticide has been a subject of scholarly fascination, attracting researchers from diverse disciplines, and leading to the abundance of scholarly literature on this topic. However, historians frequently employ the term "infanticide" broadly, encompassing both the deliberate act of murdering one's own newborn child and other forms of child disposal, such as exposure. This article represents the first attempt to comprehensively analyse both textual and archaeological evidence concerning infanticide in the Roman Empire, and in doing so will concentrate on all evidence specifically referring to infanticide. By examining each source individually and collectively, it aims to determine the prevalence and continuity of infanticide and its socio-cultural implications. Contrary to prior assumptions, the analysis suggests a potential shift in attitudes towards infanticide during the late 2<sup>nd</sup> to early 3<sup>rd</sup> century CE, not solely influenced by the rise of Christianity. Additionally, this article pioneers a discussion on infanticide among Early Christians, offering fresh insights into this complex phenomenon.</em> |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da6cbf3a488844e9a8d7e33917e5887d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2360-266X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Mega Publishing House |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology |
| spelling | doaj-art-da6cbf3a488844e9a8d7e33917e5887d2025-08-20T02:00:47ZengMega Publishing HouseJournal of Ancient History and Archaeology2360-266X2024-11-0111310.14795/j.v11i3.1024541AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRELev Shir COSIJNS0University of Oxford<em>Infanticide has been a subject of scholarly fascination, attracting researchers from diverse disciplines, and leading to the abundance of scholarly literature on this topic. However, historians frequently employ the term "infanticide" broadly, encompassing both the deliberate act of murdering one's own newborn child and other forms of child disposal, such as exposure. This article represents the first attempt to comprehensively analyse both textual and archaeological evidence concerning infanticide in the Roman Empire, and in doing so will concentrate on all evidence specifically referring to infanticide. By examining each source individually and collectively, it aims to determine the prevalence and continuity of infanticide and its socio-cultural implications. Contrary to prior assumptions, the analysis suggests a potential shift in attitudes towards infanticide during the late 2<sup>nd</sup> to early 3<sup>rd</sup> century CE, not solely influenced by the rise of Christianity. Additionally, this article pioneers a discussion on infanticide among Early Christians, offering fresh insights into this complex phenomenon.</em>https://jaha.org.ro/index.php/JAHA/article/view/1024infanticideroman historychristianityjudaism |
| spellingShingle | Lev Shir COSIJNS AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology infanticide roman history christianity judaism |
| title | AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE |
| title_full | AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE |
| title_fullStr | AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE |
| title_full_unstemmed | AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE |
| title_short | AM I MY CHILDREN’S KEEPER? EVIDENCE FOR INFANTICIDE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE |
| title_sort | am i my children s keeper evidence for infanticide in the roman empire |
| topic | infanticide roman history christianity judaism |
| url | https://jaha.org.ro/index.php/JAHA/article/view/1024 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT levshircosijns amimychildrenskeeperevidenceforinfanticideintheromanempire |