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.
Norman, Naomi J. "Death And Burial Of Roman Children: The Case Of The
Yasmina Cemetery At Carthage--Part II, The Archaeological Evidence." Mortality 8.1 (2003): 36-47. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
Q&A,
Q:
"I also found the fact about graves lined with white plaster interesting!
I wonder what their reasons were (besides social status) for doing
that?"
A:
According to the reading, there are two theories on the use of white plaster for burials: One is that it identified Christian graves because they expressed concern for maintaining the integrity of the body after death. Two is that it was used only on bodies too old for burial in amphoras (large storage vessels).
Part I:
Continuing with the article from my previous post Norman makes an excellent point to keep in mind, the geographical expanse of the empire causes tremendous variation in the funeral and burial practices of children. (this also causes a variation in the funeral and burial practices of the adults as many cultures intertwined previous traditions with the Roman traditions)
Funeral processions for children were held at night "away from the public gaze" and were seen as private family events versus the extravagant social events that were reserved for adults. The funeral procession was lit by torches which is thought to either diminish the child's terror or to dispel pollution brought on by a child's death. The article also states that it was "necessary to sacrifice a pig in order to mark the grave legally as a grave" which I don't think I have read before but some of the graves did include pig bones. (I have read of other sorts of sacrifices at the Roman grave sites but not a pig specifically)
Another practice that I don't remember reading on was at the time of death the family would call out the name of the deceased to ascertain that death had occurred.
Part II:
The second article examines various archeological evidence from different areas of the empire to determine the different practices.
The use of amphoras in burials was typically used to distinguish children from adults.
A cemetery in Thysdrus was reserved specifically for children and was arranged by age.
Many of the cemeteries showed the transition from original practice to Roman practices. The original graves were more basic and would often be lacking markers while the Roman graves would be more elaborate masonry tombs that markers and epitaphs with the child's age.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Children's Burials
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.
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.
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