Abstract

This article provides an overview of the problem of orphans in the ancient Mediterranean world and identifies ways in which various societies acknowledged orphans’ plight and sought to address it. Part 1 gives the ancient definition of “orphan” as a “fatherless child” and statistical estimates for the percentage of children who had lost their father. Part 2 identifies five factors (inadequate public health care, low life expectancy, war deaths, death during childbirth, and differences in age at first marriage for men and women) that contributed to the high incidence of orphans in antiquity. Part 3 surveys the recognition of orphans’ vulnerability in ancient Babylon, ancient Israel and early Judaism, ancient Greece, and imperial Rome. Part 4 discusses the treatment of orphans in early Christianity, focusing on the pre-Constantinian period. Part 5 offers a brief conclusion that notes both personal and institutional responses by Christians to the plight of orphans.

Highlights

  • THE PROBLEM OF FATHERLESSNESSThe modern world is well aware of the multiple problems posed by the death or the mental or physical absence of one of the parents of children

  • Part 2 identifies five factors that contributed to the high incidence of orphans in antiquity

  • Part 4 discusses the treatment of orphans in early Christianity, focusing on the pre-Constantinian period

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

The modern world is well aware of the multiple problems posed by the death or the mental or physical absence of one of the parents of children. It does not matter whether the deceased or absent parent is the mother or the father, whether the parents are or were ever married, or in the case of gay parents, which partner is no longer present. Because of the greater statistical number of orphans and the more profound impact of fatherlessness, orphans constituted a far greater problem for the ancient world than they usually do for us, though there are situations today in which the number of orphans can skyrocket and create a crisis.

FIVE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF ORPHANS IN ANTIQUITY
RECOGNITION OF THE VULNERABILITY OF ORPHANS
ORPHANS AND EARLY CHRISTIANITY
Findings
CONCLUSION
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