Orphans in Mediterranean antiquity and early Christianity
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Date
2016
Authors
Fitzgerald, J. T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
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.
Description
Keywords
Orphan, Orphanage, Adoption, Guardian
Citation
Fitzgerald, J. T. (2016). Orphans in Mediterranean antiquity and early Christianity. Acta Theologica, 23, 29-48.