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Growing Up and Growing Old in Ancient Rome
Throughout history, every culture has had its own ideas on what growing up and growing old means, with variations between chronological, biological and social ageing, and with different emphases on the critical stages and transitions from birth to death.
This volume is the first to highlight the role of age in determining behaviour, and expectations of behaviour, across the life span of an inhabitant of ancient Rome. Drawing on developments in the social sciences, as well as ancient evidence, the authors focus on the period c.200BC - AD200, looking at childhood, the transition to adulthood, maturity, and old age. They explore how both the individual and society were involved in, and reacted to, these different stages, in terms of gender, wealth and status, and personal choice and empowerment.
This volume is the first to highlight the role of age in determining behaviour, and expectations of behaviour, across the life span of an inhabitant of ancient Rome. Drawing on developments in the social sciences, as well as ancient evidence, the authors focus on the period c.200BC - AD200, looking at childhood, the transition to adulthood, maturity, and old age. They explore how both the individual and society were involved in, and reacted to, these different stages, in terms of gender, wealth and status, and personal choice and empowerment.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2001
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December 25, 2011
A book I wish I had written.
The life course approach is not popular enough in studies of ancient societies, especially books written by archaeologists. I originally picked this up to read the chapter on childhood in ancient Rome, but I found the whole book very interesting and important. The Introduction suggests a number of reasons the life course approach is significant to understanding ancient cultures, the wholes that need filling, the previously invisible people, etc...but also the ability to see how time was understood, the intersection of identity and place and power, etc. The chapter on the household as the space that structured the identities of children, women and slaves was very valuable, as was the chapter on growing old. I want to write about slavery in ancient Maya culture now, although I have to finish the other book I'm writing on identity first!
The life course approach is not popular enough in studies of ancient societies, especially books written by archaeologists. I originally picked this up to read the chapter on childhood in ancient Rome, but I found the whole book very interesting and important. The Introduction suggests a number of reasons the life course approach is significant to understanding ancient cultures, the wholes that need filling, the previously invisible people, etc...but also the ability to see how time was understood, the intersection of identity and place and power, etc. The chapter on the household as the space that structured the identities of children, women and slaves was very valuable, as was the chapter on growing old. I want to write about slavery in ancient Maya culture now, although I have to finish the other book I'm writing on identity first!
Displaying 1 of 1 review