HIST 3320: The History of Childhood

Week 4: Childhood in Agricultural Societies and in the Classical Civilization

Tuesday, Sept. 17:

• Stearns, CWH, Chapter 1, “Childhood in Agricultural Societies.” 
• Stearns, CWH, Chapter 2, “Childhood in the Classical Civilizations”

Thursday, Sept. 19:  Study and Discussion of Primary Sources

             Objects:

• Indus Valley Climbing Monkey Toy [Object] https://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/primary-sources/312
• Panchatantra: Stories for Children from India’s Ancient Past 

https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/panchatantra.html

• Ancient Greek Girl Athlete https://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/primary-sources/383
• Ancient Greek Adolescent Girls at Play https://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/primary-sources/381
• Roman Children Sarcophagi https://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/case-studies/52

Discussion Questions:

• According to Peter Stearns, what was the nature of childhood in ancient agricultural societies? What kinds of sources did the author use to back up his claim? What are the different parts of the world that the author covers? Can you relate to any part of those worlds?
• How did the culture of childhood change from the agricultural society to the classical world? What areas did the author cover? What kinds of sources did he use? Do you have any personal resonances with children of the classical era? 
• Discuss at least four primary sources and reflect on what they tell us about children and childhood in the early years of human civilization.
• Discuss at least two primary sources (from the syllabus or outside) that inform your understanding of children and childhood in the ancient world).