Children once born in ancient Athens and Sparta were required to go through almost what could be called the gauntlet of death.
Assuming the child survived childbirth there were numerous factors to its survival in both Athens in Sparta, As spartan only wished for strong citizens such as women which would give birth to strong Spartans and Spartan warriors.
While in Athens there were also differing factors in why the child might be exposed to the elements, such as the husband just plain outright did not want another child.
In Athens when a child was born came three days, where if the husband uttered the words "expose it" the child would be left out somewhere in public, most often in some form of clay jar or cradle to die of exposure or asphyxiation, the child while left may be rescued but if so chances are the child would become a indentured servant to the citizen who rescued them. (Taken from notes)
The father would have three days to contemplate matters, if the child was a girl he would have to save a dowry and become a financial burden to the family, or maybe they wanted a boy and not a girl. On the third day the father would have to make his decision or hold his tongue as the mother and family rejoiced and the celebratory feasts began.(Notes on School laptop, copy these and put on word document for the bibliography)
In Sparta however laws were more severe, neither of the parents had a choice in what happened to their child if he were declared with some kind of defect. Spartan women had high standards set for them and their progeny, they were expected to produce strong Spartans who could withstand the harsh training involved in growing up Spartan.
The child some time after birth would be brought before a group of elders, even though they were officials in all terms of speaking.
If these officials had found the child to carry some kind of defect or be weaker then the average child he would be left to the elements on a mountain side, the boards decision was final. The father could also refuse to raise said child.
(R.Burrel, 1991, The Greeks, Oxford university press, Oxford; Page 84)
"In Sparta the father had no choice - the decision was made by a board of officials and there was no appeal."
(R.Burrel, 1991, The Greeks, Oxford university press, Oxford; Page 84)
So as previously stated even getting past your first couple of days as a child in both city states was difficult, this would have been along side diseases and other illnesses that were around at the time culling the population to an extent.
Assuming the child survived childbirth there were numerous factors to its survival in both Athens in Sparta, As spartan only wished for strong citizens such as women which would give birth to strong Spartans and Spartan warriors.
While in Athens there were also differing factors in why the child might be exposed to the elements, such as the husband just plain outright did not want another child.
In Athens when a child was born came three days, where if the husband uttered the words "expose it" the child would be left out somewhere in public, most often in some form of clay jar or cradle to die of exposure or asphyxiation, the child while left may be rescued but if so chances are the child would become a indentured servant to the citizen who rescued them. (Taken from notes)
The father would have three days to contemplate matters, if the child was a girl he would have to save a dowry and become a financial burden to the family, or maybe they wanted a boy and not a girl. On the third day the father would have to make his decision or hold his tongue as the mother and family rejoiced and the celebratory feasts began.(Notes on School laptop, copy these and put on word document for the bibliography)
In Sparta however laws were more severe, neither of the parents had a choice in what happened to their child if he were declared with some kind of defect. Spartan women had high standards set for them and their progeny, they were expected to produce strong Spartans who could withstand the harsh training involved in growing up Spartan.
The child some time after birth would be brought before a group of elders, even though they were officials in all terms of speaking.
If these officials had found the child to carry some kind of defect or be weaker then the average child he would be left to the elements on a mountain side, the boards decision was final. The father could also refuse to raise said child.
(R.Burrel, 1991, The Greeks, Oxford university press, Oxford; Page 84)
"In Sparta the father had no choice - the decision was made by a board of officials and there was no appeal."
(R.Burrel, 1991, The Greeks, Oxford university press, Oxford; Page 84)
So as previously stated even getting past your first couple of days as a child in both city states was difficult, this would have been along side diseases and other illnesses that were around at the time culling the population to an extent.