Roman Family and the Exposure of Infants

Roman Family and the Exposure of Infants One aspect of Roman society that tends to horrify modern people, an aspect that isnt limited to the Romans, but was practiced by many others, excluding the ancient Jews* and Etruscans, is the practice of abandoning their infants. This is generally known as exposure because the infants were exposed to the elements. Not all infants so exposed died. Some Roman infants were picked up by families in need of a slave. In contrast, the most famous case of exposure of a Roman child ended not with slavery, but the crown. The Most Famous Roman Exposure of Infants The most famous exposure occurred when the Vestal Virgin Rhea gave birth to twins whom we know as Romulus and Remus; however, the babies did not then have those names: the father of the family (paterfamilias) formally had to accept a child as his and give it a name, which wasnt the case when an infant was tossed aside shortly after birth. A Vestal Virgin had to remain chaste. Giving birth was proof of her failure. That the god Mars was the father of Rheas children made little difference, so the boys were exposed, but they were lucky. A wolf suckled, a woodpecker fed, and a rustic family took them in. When the twins grew up, they got back what was rightfully theirs and one of them became the first king of Rome. Practical Reasons for Exposure of Infants in Rome If infant exposure was suitable for their legendary founders, who were the Roman people to say it was wrong for their offspring? Exposure allowed poor people to get rid of extra mouths to feed, especially the mouths of baby girls who were also a dowry liability.Children who were imperfect in some way were also exposed, supposedly, according to the dictates of the Twelve Tablets.Exposure was also used to get rid of children whose paternity was unclear or undesirable, but the exposure wasnt the only method that was available. Roman women employed contraceptives and received abortions, as well.The paterfamilias technically had the right to get rid of any infant under his power. Christianity Helps End Exposure of Infants Around the time Christianity was taking hold, attitudes towards this method of destroying unwanted life were changing. The poor had to get rid of their unwanted children because they couldnt afford them, but they had not been allowed to sell them formally, so instead, they were leaving them to die or to be used to economic advantage by other families. The first Christian emperor, Constantine, in A.D. 313, authorized the sale of the infants [Child-Exposure in the Roman Empire, by W. V. Harris. The Journal of Roman Studies, Vol. 84. (1994), pp. 1-22.]. While selling ones children seems horrible to us, the alternative had been death or slavery: in the one case, worse, and in the other, the same, so the sale of infants offered some hope, especially since in Roman society some slaves could hope to buy their freedom. Even with legal permission to sell ones offspring, exposure didnt end overnight, but by about 374, it had been legally forbidden. See: Child-Exposure in the Roman Empire, by W. V. Harris. The Journal of Roman Studies, Vol. 84. (1994). Did the Ancients Care When Their Children Died?, by Mark Golden Greece Rome 1988. The Exposure of Infants in Roman Law and Practice, by Max Radin The Classical Journal, Vol. 20, No. 6. (Mar., 1925). Exposure comes up in Greek and Roman mythology in a slightly different context. When Perseus rescues Andromeda and Hercules Hermione, the princesses, both of an age to marry, had been left or exposed to avert local disaster. Presumably the sea monster was going to eat the young women. In the Roman story of Cupid and Psyche, Psyche is also exposed to avert local disaster. *

Leader that I admire ( Jesus Christ ) Scholarship Essay

Leader that I admire ( Jesus Christ ) - Scholarship Essay Example Thus everything, Jesus ever did or said is valuable today just as it was that time. This is something that cannot be said of any other being; dead or alive. This therefore is to say that every word and act of Jesus is valuable to all humanity no matter their location or walk in life. Jesus simply became the much needed Light of the World. Jesus was and still is the epitome of love. Jesus loved others so much and He would listen to them without being patronising. The loving nature of Jesus was demonstrated by not only the caring for the people more than the regulations and rules but also by eventually giving His life away so that mankind can be redeemed from sin. This is one of the habits of a great leader; listening and loving others without measure. He taught his disciples as well as His followers to have faith not only in Himself but also God. He emphasised the importance of faith so much that He gave an analogy of the mustard seed, demonstrating that all what is needed is a little amount of faith for one to move mountains. Jesus was a wonderful listener and He listened to all and sundry, without discriminating against anybody. There is nothing as important as lending someone an ear and giving them your time. A great leader anywhere listens not only to his subjects, but also to his own conscience as well as promptings from God. Jesus also saw great potential in people and was willing to make an investment of individuals other people would have easily dismissed, the early followers of Jesus (disciples) were not religious at all, yet Jesus was willing to use them to begin His church. Jesus was also an amazing leader in that He handled criticism positively. When criticised for allowing a prostitute to sit down crying and anointing his feet, Jesus gave them a story which gave more honour to the woman. Jesus thus, handled criticism graciously. It is the story, deeds and love of this Greatest Teacher who ever lived that inspires