Decision against Abortion in an Ancient Greek Novel (Chariton, Callirhoe 2.8–11)

Abstract

The article firstly outlines attitudes toward abortion in the Greek pagan world. Against this background, a unique passage from Callirhoe, a Greek novel from the first century AD, is presented. It is the longest ancient text on the subject and the only one that presents the opinions of women (and perhaps is also authored by a woman). These women are Callirhoe, who was sold into slavery, and Plangon, another slave. The article includes a translation of Callirhoe 2.8–11 and discusses its message. The novel cites some justifications for abortion (the unfortunate fate of the prospective slave and his mother; avoiding an unwanted marriage), but speaks of a child, not a fetus. In the end, the protagonist describes abortion as unlawful and ungodly infanticide and states that both the child and its father would have voted for life. The life of the child is more important than the personal virtue of sophrosyne.