While I originally
wanted to research perceptions of old age and geriatrics specifically in
Classical Athens, it's becoming very apparent that perhaps researching how
perception and care change throughout the eras may provide more insight into
the topic. According to Thomas Falkner (1995), author of The Poetics of Old Age in Greek Epic, Lyric, and Tragedy, the
Greek’s strong patriarchal society accounted for many depictions of male sexual
prowess in literature. In fact, an individual’s role in ancient Greek society
can be equated to their role in sexual encounters and even the lack there of,
such as with the elderly. According to Falkner, while Greeks believed older men
were “eligible to continue to play the game of love,” they were concerned “for
their inability to do so successfully” (p. 112). [Note: According to Falkner, there is very little said about women and even less about older women. This may indicate that the bulk research will be about elderly males.]
The range of
descriptions of older male sexuality reiterates this relatively undefined
standard of geronterotics – anything from “lustfulness to impotence” has been
used as a descriptor (Falkner, 1995, p. 112). For instance, Homer passed away
hundreds of years before the Classical Era began in Greece, and his work seems
to reflect a different outlook on the elderly than that of Plato and other
Classical philosophers. While Homer foregoes the physical aspects of sexuality,
he does make the distinction that sexual ability is not determined by age since
sexual ability is not necessary for heroic success, particularly in Illiad (Falkner, 1995). Nevertheless,
Homer does recognize the physical limits of older age.
While these passages
don’t reveal specifics about the daily care for the elderly in Greece, they do
allude to societal perceptions. Thus, my next endeavor is to find primary
sources that directly refer to geriatric protocol.
Falkner, Thomas M. The Poetics of Old Age in
Greek Epic, Lyric, and Tragedy. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1995.
Very interesting discussion of gender differences between Homer and Classical Greece. Even that point reflects something interesting. Don't give up on looking for women and gender, especially as the book is from 1995. In particular try to find accounts of women and religion, or women and the home, as these are where we have the most voices. Perhaps head towards the prothesis ceremony which involved women over 60 and their role in death rituals.
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