Childhood in Ancient Athens: Iconography and Social History (Routledge Monographs in Classical Studies)

Book Details

• Author: Lesley A. Beaumont

• Edition: 1st Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• ISBN: 9781138926707

• Number of Pages: 304

• Release Date: 27-03-2015

• Language: English

About The Book

In "Childhood in Ancient Athens," Lesley A. Beaumont offers a pioneering exploration of the experiences and perceptions of children in one of the most influential ancient civilizations. The book delves into the often overlooked social group of children in ancient Athens, offering valuable insights into their lives from birth through childhood. Beaumont examines the way Athenian society viewed children, juxtaposing these views with those of our modern 21st-century Western society, highlighting both similarities and stark contrasts.

The study spans various stages of childhood, focusing on nurture, play, education, work, cult, ritual, and death, and provides a comprehensive account of the juvenile life course in classical Athens. With a significant reliance on the visual art of the period, particularly Athenian pottery, sculpture, and terracotta modeling, the book offers a new perspective by analyzing iconography to reveal the social history of childhood. This unique approach marks the first full-length monograph in English dedicated to the iconography of childhood in ancient Athens.

With over 120 illustrations, the book provides readers not only with a rich narrative resource but also a visually stimulating one, helping to reconstruct a detailed picture of childhood in antiquity. This invaluable resource is essential for anyone interested in the social history of the ancient world, childhood studies, and classical art.