Images of children in Roman society abound: an infant's first bath, learning to walk, playing with pets and toys, going to school, and--all too often--dying prematurely. Children and Childhood in Roman Italy argues that in Roman society children were, in principle and often in practice, welcome, valued and visible. This study builds on the dynamic work on the Roman family that has been developing in recent decades. Its focus on the period between the first century BCE and the early third century CE provides a context for new work being done on early Christian societies, especially in Rome.

"A rich and up-to-date synthesis of the available material. Roman family studies have in recent years become an extraordinarily productive research field, and Rawson herself has played a leading part in this development. The appearance of this comprehensive study...is to be warmly welcomed."

"A stimulating, learned and highly readable book by one of the foremost scholars of the Roman family.... This impressive book is indispensable for anyone interested in the Roman family or indeed, Roman social history in general."

"Rawson is well-known among classicists and historians for her well-researched, highly readable expert studies on various aspects of the ancient family.... Rawson has profitably mined modern scholarship...and has incorporated a wealth of source material that many analysts have passed over lightly.... For a text that covers so much so well, it may be unfair to single out a particular chapter. Nonetheless, Rawson's discussion of education stands out as a necessary supplement and revision to the old standard studies by Bonner and Marrou. Highly recommended."

Beryl Rawson is Professor Emerita and Visiting Fellow in History at the Australian National University