1. Classical Athens Birth and Childhood

2. Birth
When a child was born, the father had to inspect it.
Any sign of weakness or deformity would be justification to leave it outside the oikos to die. A father could refuse a child on many grounds.
Strong children were accepted jubilantly.
“Exposure was the preferred method of disposal, as that act in itself was not considered to be murder; moreover, the exposed child technically had a chance of being rescued by the gods or any passersby.”

3. Boys and Girls
If the newborn were a boy, an olive branch was displayed over the door of the house.
If the child were a girl, some wool was displayed instead.
If the child survived the first ten days of life, a feats would be organised for the family.
At this feast, sacrifices would be made and the child would be given a name.
The first ten days of a child’s life could be tense!

4. Early Years High infant mortality due to hygiene and age of mothers.
In less-wealthy households, the mother would raise the child at home.
Wealthy families might employ a nurse.
Wicker baskets would be used for a cradle.
High chairs have been found in archaeological digs.

5. Entertaining Children
Mothers would tell their children stories; Aesop’s fables were very popular.
Rattles, swings, see-saws, kites, hoops, dolls, wooden horses and other toys have all been found.
Leap-frog, blind-man’s buff, knucklebones (a favourite among the later Romans), dice and other games were popular.

6. Pets
Pets were as common as they are today. Dogs, tortoises, and hares were all commonly kept.
Cocks were kept, and they were often used in fights with other birds.

7. The Skinny
Children were inspected at birth and approved/ disapproved by the father.
Unwanted children were exposed.
An olive branch signified a boy; wool, a girl.
Most accoutrements of raising children were present in the Athenian experience – high-chairs, cots, games and toys.
Pets!

8. Sources
Corsar, P. Kenneth. Discovering the Greeks. Edward Arnold, 1977