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Children and Childhood in Roman Italy

Professor Beryl Rawson's book was launched by Professor Vicki Sara (Executive Director of the Australian Research Council) on 24 October in the L.J. Hume Centre.

Concepts of childhood and the treatment of children are often used as a barometer of society's humanity, values and priorities. Children and Childhood in Roman Italy argues that in Roman society children were, in principle and often in practice, welcome, valued and visible. This study builds on the dynamic work on the Roman family that has been developing in recent decades. Its focus on the period between the first century BCE and the early third century CE provides a context for new work being done on early Christian societies, especially in Rome.