Byzantine attitudes towards foetuses, newborn babies and infants: a multidisciplinary approach

Published in the online journal Rosetta

Academic enquiry into Byzantine infancy has previously focused on the Byzantine’s textual construction of this perilous life stage, which was often tragically cut short. Looking at hagiographies, histories, legal codes and examples of material culture, there is a substantial quantity of evidence which exposes Byzantine perceptions of the lived experience of infants too. This paper considers the significance of specific Life Course markers (conception, pregnancy, birth, baptism and weaning). The study exploits a range of evidence including textual and pictorial sources in order to compare genres and ultimately acquire a fuller understanding of ideals. Extracts from the sources demonstrate that from the sixth century onwards, the Byzantines attached increased value to a child’s earliest years – including their development in the womb – as a reflection of their personal characteristics and adult life.