Abortion in the Ancient World

Ethical dilemmas and heated arguments on abortion very similar to our own, exercised Greek and Roman doctors, philosophers, historians, theologians, dramatists, novelists and poets. In this study, Professor Kapparis extrapolates the views of ancient physicians on abortion from a detailed investigation of the medical facts, medical and philosophical theories concerning the human status of the unborn in antiquity, the Hippocratic Oath, and other important documents on Greek medical ethics. He explores the reasons why women in antiquity sought abortions, male concerns and attitudes towards abortion, and religious, social, cultural and demographic trends influencing the legal status of abortion in antiquity. "Abortion in the Ancient World" thus presents the ancient debate on abortion and its ethics against its historical, legal, economic, social and cultural background, and links it to the modern debate.