Late Antiquity: Similarities Of Life In The 3rd Century

Although the time period labeled Late Antiquity took place such a long time ago dating back to the 3rd Century, there are many comparisons and ways of life that are very relevant in the world we live in today. Specifically, in domestic life, which is defined as relating to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family. Family and time in the household is some of the most cherished time that people have during their lives so it will be interesting to look at the similarities and differences. Some of the areas that I will look at and dissect are sexuality, birth, children, marriage and divorce, life in the roman household, and the end of life. Sexuality is a topic that has come up a lot recently in the news because of some of the

The Church opposed abortion which is a comparison that could be drawn with life today. Caesarius of Arles, Sermon 44.2- “No woman should take drugs for purposes of abortion, nor should she kill her children that have been conceived or are already born. If anyone doesn’t, she should know that before Christ’s tribunal she will have to plead her case in the presence of those she has killed. Moreover, women should not take diabolical draughts with the purpose of not being able to conceive children. A woman who does this ought to realize that she will be guilty of as many murders as the number of children she might have born.” (Maas 241) Now it is allowed for people to take drugs for the purpose of abortion even though part of the population disagrees with it. The consequences of childbearing on women's bodies were harsh, which has now changed due to the advances in technology that have been created. Women were known to have a hateful and dangerous life during the Late Antiquity time period. They give birth in pain and danger, suffered during breastfeeding, and were ill when their children become ill. Birth was such a long and painful process; women were never the same after having the child. Because the Roman Empire was multi-ethnic in Late Antiquity, the names given to children varied by region. Usually names were given after other family members or friends of the

A common practice in the Roman society was abandoning unwanted infants by the roadside to die or be carried off by strangers. There were many people that strongly disagreed with these parent’s actions. The punishment created for this action was stated, “Let the woman who gave birth on the road and took no care of her offspring be subjected to the charge of murder. Constantine ensure that an abandoned child could be raised as a slave or a free man, depending on the choice of the person who rescued it. Nowadays, this is viewed to be very different because parents are allowed to leave their unwanted child to the hospital. Although, parents should not be awarded for doing this to a kid, it is probably better for the child’s life if the parent chooses to give it away to someone that will care. Once abandoned, a child can never be reclaimed by its parents. Parents facing economic hardship would sometimes sell their children into slavery for a monetary gain. Constantine urged these parents to not sell their children, as the government would help them support the child. This action done by the government was almost exactly comparable to what is done today in this situation. Families that cannot afford supporting themselves or their kids get welfare, in which the government helps them live,