Unveiling Life as a Kid in Mesopotamia: Exploring Parenting Techniques of Ancient Times.
Hey everyone, Welcome back. this is History Mystery back with a new interesting blog about child discipline techniques used in ancient Mesopotamia!
Between the majestic Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Mesopotamia’s bustling civilization thrived over 4,000 years ago and was home to several civilizations like Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. This captivating land now encompasses present-day Iraq, parts of Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.
They developed the earliest known writing system, cuneiform, and made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. Famous structures include the ziggurats (stepped pyramids) and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
But let’s divert our attention from the infamous tales of Mesopotamia and their religious, cultural, and academic achievements, as we delve into a different aspect of this ancient civilization — the intriguing lives of mischievous kids in Mesopotamia and the methods employed by their parents to rein them in.
Life as a Kid in Mesopotamia and 3 Authoritarian Parenting Techniques of Ancient Times
Parents were the revered guiding forces, and their words carried the weight of divine wisdom. To challenge their authority was to challenge the very fabric of society itself. Disobeying or questioning their decisions was strictly off-limits for the children of Mesopotamia.
As we delve further into this ancient world, we’ll explore the intriguing consequences of rule-breaking behavior that awaited those mischievous little rascals who dared to test the boundaries set by their parents.
Prepare for tales of disappearing toys, retributive justice, and physical punishments, that amuse and astonish you.
Corporal Punishments:
The saying came to life in Mesopotamia, where physical punishment served as a means of correction. A stern lesson in character-building! Early child discipline in Mesopotamia often centered around strict obedience and authoritarian parenting styles, e.g., the Spartan parenting approach.
Strict rules and Physical punishments, such as spanking or caning, were commonly employed to maintain discipline and enforce obedience. We can find evidence and references to such disciplinary practices in the legal codes of Ancient Egypt, such as the
“Instruction of Ptahhotep” and the “Book of the Dead.”
The Hierarchy of Respect:
In Mesopotamian households, parents ruled like benevolent deities. You were demanded to treat your parents like ancient rock stars!
Showing utmost respect was crucial, as parents were regarded as the pinnacle of authority. Disobeying them would be like challenging the gods themselves! That’s why children had no choice but to follow their parents’ decisions, rooted in culture and religion.
“Eye for an Eye, Ear for an Ear”:
Now here is where things get a little interesting. One of the most renowned rules in Mesopotamia, derived from Hammurabi’s Code, was “an eye for an eye.”
Taking something from someone meant you should be prepared to lose the same thing yourself. Mesopotamian parents were well acquainted with this principle. So, brace yourselves for some quirky consequences.
If a mischievous youngster took a toy without permission, the magic of “retributive justice” would make one of their toys mysteriously vanish.
Just so they could understand the plight of the child who lost their toy, all because of another child’s mischief. Detectives of that time must have been left idle, considering the cunning parents of Mesopotamia!
Conclusion
And there you have it, dear readers! A side-splitting glimpse into the parenting techniques of ancient Mesopotamia. From the sacred Hierarchy of Respect to disappearing toys, these Mesopotamian parents knew how to keep their kids in check.
So, the next time you feel the urge to raise your voice at your parents or be a little rebellious, be grateful you won’t end up with a sign around your neck! Remember, even ancient civilizations had their unique ways of taming the wild child within us all.
Despite the consequences that may have been used in ancient Mesopotamia, it’s essential to acknowledge that parenting practices have evolved significantly. Share your thoughts on Mesopotamian strict parenting style in the comments below!
Would you consider adopting any of them?
Also check out my YouTube video on this topic; https://youtu.be/hlLnz-Q-pAU?si=gNPxi3qZPKZTUuIw
