This week I have been looking over an article focusing on the burial of children based mostly off archeological evidence.
Norman, Naomi J. "Death And Burial Of Roman Children: The Case Of The Yasmina Cemetery At Carthage—Part I, Setting The Stage." Mortality 7.3 (2002): 302-323. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Archeological studies done by the University of George at a cemetery in Carthage reveals interesting evidence that has similarities and differences among other Roman grave sites.
They examined over 60 burials at this specific site, of which a large portion were ages 1-7. From the graves themselves it was determined that the cemetery held persons of all social statuses. Some of the graves were lined with rubble while others were of white plaster.
What they discovered that was different from traditional Roman Customs was that only the children between ages 1-7 had grave gifts which was common for all burials of the time. Also the children's graves were clustered around the middle of the cemetery when usually they would be intermingled with the adult graves.
Children's epitaphs, unlike adults, would emphasize their age because they had little other accomplishments to commemorate.
On grieving for children:
"A law of Numa, quotes by Plutarch, for example, apportions the length of mourning for a child in relation to the child's age at death: children below the age of one year received no mourning, those between the ages of one and three years received half morning, those between three and 10 years old received on month of mourning for every year of life and those older than 10 received full mourning. When consoling his wife over the death of their two year old daughter, Plutarch remarks that the child's obsequies should be simple and carried out quickly. He remind her that, in accordance with ancestral custom, one should not offer libations nor linger at the funeral of a young child. Nor should one grieve too much. He explains that children receive a minimal amount of ritual because they are not yet fully integrated into the social fabric of the community."
.....To be continued.
It is very interesting that they would not allow themselves to grieve for the death of a child. It really shows how the Romans were such a structured culture that they had rules for showing emotion! And they took their accomplishments very seriously - they could not mourn for a child because they had no accomplishments and were not yet a part of the social community.
ReplyDeleteI also found the fact about graves lined with white plaster interesting! I wonder what their reasons were (besides social status) for doing that?
It is intriguing that the Romans had a detailed list of the proper amount, if any, of morning time that could be allotted to a deceased child.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Miranda's comment, I did not occur to me that this could be so because as you stated the Romans took their accomplishments rather seriously and since children who died at a young age had none there were no accomplishments to celebrate.