The Birth of Healthy Children in Ancient Greece

Introduction: The ancient Greeks not only emphasized childbearing but also the births of healthy
children.
Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is the investigation of the beliefs of the ancient Greeks about
the birth of healthy children.
Materials and Methods: A thorough academic and scientific research of writers of Ancient Greece
times and related studies and articles was conducted.
Results: Plutarch advises couples not to drink wine or drink too little before the meeting, as their
children will be addicted to alcohol. Plato states that the children of the drunkards during the meeting
are born with abnormalities in the body and the soul. And Aristotle advises pregnant women to walk,
eat nutritious foods and keep their minds calmer because during pregnancy children are affected from
their pregnant mothers. While in Sparta there were rewards from the state for the birth of healthy
children, such as the release of the father from his military duties.
Conclusions: In ancient Greece, parents not only had to take care of childbearing but also of
eugenics, thus giving their city beautiful and strong children.