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Aging and the aged in "the Greek anthology"
1History Department, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. wortley@cc.umanitoba.ca
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|August 27, 1998
Summary
Ancient Greek poems reveal evolving attitudes towards aging, particularly for women. These tenth and eleventh-century texts offer insights into societal views on gracefully aging individuals versus those who have outlived their prime.
Area of Science:
- Classical Studies
- Social History
- Literary Analysis
Background:
- Analysis of a tenth and eleventh-century collection of short Greek poems from Constantinople.
- Exploration of the poems' historical and cultural context, acknowledging their nature as literary conceits.
Observation:
- Poems offer glimpses into Hellenic life and attitudes spanning centuries.
- Examination of specific reflections on aging, particularly concerning women.
Findings:
- Scorn for women who have outlived their youthful charms contrasts with affection for those aging gracefully.
- Portrayals of men's varied emotional responses to aging, including fear, anger, and resignation.
- Evidence regarding reasons for retirement and descriptions of working lives, such as for charioteers.
Implications:
- These poems provide nuanced, albeit sometimes subjective, insights into historical perceptions of aging and gender.
- The collection serves as a valuable, though limited, source for understanding social dynamics and individual experiences in ancient Greece.
- Offers a unique lens into the lived realities and emotional landscapes of individuals facing aging and retirement.