Newborn Children In Ancient Rome
In Ancient Rome, newborn children had a much different experience from that of those in the modern world. The mortality rate for babies was much higher than it is today, and the social structure had much lower expectations for the safety of children.
In Ancient Rome, there was a practice known as the dawning of infants. On the fifth or ninth day after a child was born, a ceremony would be conducted in which the child would be exposed to the gods. The parents would place the baby in a secluded area, usually a public place outside. If it was not taken by a passerby within the next few days, the child would be taken back home by the parents.
In some cases, the parents may have made the decision not to take a newborn child home. This could have been the case if the child was severely ill, had deformities, or the family could not afford to take the infant home, such as with slave parents.
In addition to the practice of exposing newborns, ancient Roman culture also placed little value on the safety or wellbeing of infants. There was no expectation that all children would survive, and there was no social or religious pressure placed on protecting newborns. This may be because of the high mortality rate for children in ancient times.
The life expectancy for children born in Ancient Rome was quite low. The average life expectancy for newborns was around 50 to 60 years. By contrast, in modern times the average life expectancy has risen to over 70 years. This suggests that many more newborns inAncient Rome were not making it through infancy and childhood than in more modern times.
The causes of child mortality in Ancient Rome can be attributed to a number of factors. Poor nutrition and a lack of access to medical care were undoubtedly major contributors to the high death rates of babies and young children. In addition, the prevalence of diseases and infections without any form of treatment was another cause of the high infant mortality rate.
Infant mortality in Ancient Rome was a sad reality, but it is an important part of historical understanding of how our current society has evolved. While there has been progress made in reducing the mortality rate of newborns over the years, it is now much lower than it ever was in Ancient Rome.
Nutrition and Health Care for Children
In Ancient Rome, nutrition for newborns and young children was often lacking at best. The main staple of Roman society was bread, often made from grains which were not very nutrient-rich. This may have contributed to the high mortality rate for newborns in Ancient Rome.
In addition to lacking nutrition, children in Ancient Rome also faced a lack of access to medical care. There were no doctors, hospitals, or even pharmacists to provide medical care to infants or young children. Parents had to rely on home remedies to try to alleviate their child’s ailments, many of which would not have been successful.
In addition to a lack of nutrition and medical care, children in Ancient Rome also faced a number of other hazards. Poor sanitation meant that diseases and infections could easily spread, and accidents were a daily occurrence. All of these factors combined contributed to high mortality rates of infants and young children inAncient Rome.
Despite the lack of adequate nutrition and medical care, ancient Roman society still placed great importance on the education and development of children. It was seen as being extremely important for children to receive an education in order to grow into responsible adults.
Children in Ancient Rome were also expected to learn a trade or craft from a young age, in order to provide for themselves and their families. This can help explain why so many of the structures and engineering feats of Ancient Rome still stand today, even centuries later.
Threats to Newborns
In Ancient Rome, there were a number of threats to newborns and young children. One of the most common was malnutrition, which was caused by a lack of nutrient-rich food. Poor access to medical care was another threat, as children often would not receive timely and appropriate medical treatment.
In addition, there were many diseases and infections that posed a threat to infants and young children in Ancient Rome. These included diseases such as smallpox, measles, and diphtheria. Without any form of treatment, many of these illnesses could cause serious complications or even death.
Accidents were also a common threat to newborns and young children in Ancient Rome. The lack of safety precautions mean that children were often exposed to open fire, sharp tools, and other dangers. This led to a high rate of accidents and fatalities amongst children.
Finally, exposure was a very real threat to children inAncient Rome. As mentioned earlier, the practice of exposing infants was seen as a way of “offering” a child to the gods. This may have been done for a variety of reasons, but it was a very real threat to newborns and young children.
Slavery and Children
Slaves inAncient Rome were often subject to much harsher conditions than free citizens. Slaves had no legal rights, and were subject to physical abuse, hard labor, and worse. Children of slaves were even worse off, as they were born into slavery.
In addition, children of slaves received much less care and attention than children of free citizens. It was often the case that slave parents could not afford to take care of all their children, so they may have had to leave newborns and young children in the care of a less attentive family member or friend.
Furthermore, slaves had much less access to nutrition and medical care than free citizens. This posed a serious threat to newborns and young children, and could have led to an even higher mortality rate. It is also likely that slaves, who had no legal protection, were subject to even more abuses than free citizens.
Slaves and their children were subjected to extreme hardships inAncient Rome, and this must certainly have contributed to the high mortality rate of newborns and young children. It is impossible to know the exact contribution of slavery to the death rate of infants, but it is clear that it must have had a seriousimpact.
Infant Mortality Rate Today
Today, the infant mortality rate has drastically improved from that in Ancient Rome. As mentioned earlier, the average life expectancy of newborns has risen from 50 to around 70 years. This is due to advances in nutrition, medical care, sanitation, and the overall safety of newborns and young children.
Technological advances have also allowed for a much greater understanding of child health and development. This has enabled medical professionals to better understand and treat conditions which may have been fatal inAncient Rome. Newborn screening also allows doctors to identify illnesses at an early stage, which can lead to much earlier and successful treatment.
In addition, laws and regulations have been put in place in many areas of the world to ensure the safety of newborns and young children. These range from laws protecting the rights of infants and children to regulations on safety standards in motor vehicles and other products.
Finally, advances in nutrition and education have also contributed to the lower infant mortality rates in the modern world. Nutritional guidelines, as well as educational initiatives, have helped to make sure that newborns and children are provided with the necessary resources to thrive.
Conclusion
Infant mortality in Ancient Rome was a sad reality, and one that was subject to many factors. Poor nutrition, a lack of access to medical care, diseases, infections, and accidents all contributed to high mortality rates for newborns and young children. Slaves were also subjected to harsher conditions than free citizens, which may have led to even higher mortality rates.
However, in more modern times the infant mortality rate has drastically decreased. Technological advances, laws and regulations, and advances in nutrition and education have all helped to lower the mortality rate of newborns and young children. This is an important part of understanding how our current society has evolved, and helps to ensure that newborns in the modern world receive the care and protection they need.
