The 'cursus laborum' of Roman Women: Social and Medical Aspects of the Transition from Puberty to Motherhood

This book examines the scientific, educational, medical, and emotional aspects of Roman women's puberty, preparation for pregnancy, pregnancy, and childbirth, drawing on material and textual sources. It covers the elementary sexual education offered, reproductive health knowledge, medical advice, religion, and magic, as well as the different stages of pregnancy and labour, including family tragedies. It also considers the social change that childbirth wrought on the mother, not just the new baby.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book explores a crucial yet understudied aspect of Roman women's lives: puberty, preparation for pregnancy, pregnancy, and childbirth. It brings together various material and textual sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of this significant life stage. The first half of the book examines the situation of Roman girls in preparing for motherhood. It highlights the elementary sexual education available at the time, as well as society's knowledge of reproductive health. Roman women sought medical advice and also turned to religion and magic in their preparations for childbirth. The second half of the book follows the different stages of pregnancy and labor, including joyful expectations and the realization of progeny. However, it also reveals family tragedies, such as young girls dying prematurely, stillbirth, death in childbirth, and death during confinement. Finally, the book considers the social change that childbirth brought about, not just for the new baby but also for the mother herself. It highlights how childbirth was a transformative experience that shaped both the mother and the child.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350337398