Delicately sculptured head of a Roman child of the 2nd century CE at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Delicately sculptured head of a Roman child of the 2nd century CE at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Romans kept track of the passing of time by celebrating their birthday every year just as we do. These celebrations consisted of wine, garlands of flowers, ritual cakes, and fire on the domestic altar. A child who reached its first birthday (the stage known as anniculus) was able to have legal privileges and the parents could apply for full Roman citizenship for their child.
From the ages of 5 to 7, children were seen to have more rational minds and were expected to take on responsibility around the home such as taking care of the animals, gathering materials, and general chores around the house. Also during these years, children were considered to be aware of social and sexual roles and children’s groups were organized by gender at that time. The age of 5 was around the end of what was considered to be the infant stage (infantia). At this age Romans knew children were able to understand speech, making them eligible for betrothal. Roman law classified some ages at which a child can have social, moral, or criminal responsibility.
Under the age of 14, a child was considered to be doli incapax (incapable of criminal intent). A child older than 10, however, still had the possibility of being held responsible for a criminal act if it could be proven that they understood their offense. Rome's laws did not use imprisonment or the death penalty for the purpose of criminal punishment generally, and the Valerian and Porcian laws exempted all Roman citizens from degrading and shameful forms of punishment, such as whipping, scourging, or crucifixion, but in the case of theft (for example, furtum), the child and his/her family would be punished by being required to return the stolen object, and in some cases two or four times the value of the stolen object.


Image: Delicately sculptured head of a Roman child of the 2nd century CE at the Kelsey Museum of Art in Ann Arbor, Michigan courtesy of the Museum.

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