Abortion in the ancient world
By: Konstantinos Kapparis
Publisher: Duckworth Academic
Published: 2002
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 264
Subjects: Abortion -- History -- To 1500; Abortion -- Moral and ethical aspects -- History -- To 1500
Description: This book examines the ethical dilemmas and arguments about abortion, very similar to our own, which exercised Greek and Roman doctors, philosophers, historians, theologians, dramatists, novelists and poets. In this important new study, Professor Kapparis extrapolates the views of ancient physicians on abortion from a detailed investigation of the medical facts, medical and philosophical theories concerning the human status of the unborn in antiquity, the Hippocratic Oath, and other important documents on Greek medical ethics. He explores the reasons why women in antiquity sought abortions, male concerns and attitudes towards abortion, and religious, social, cultural and demographic trends influencing the legal status of abortion in antiquity.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [249]-257) and indexes