Growing Old in Late Antiquity

Starting Point

This branch of research investigates how medical, social, and religious ideas shaped perceptions of ageing in Late Antiquity. Pre‑Christian medicine linked old age and “moderation” to a specific humoral imbalance, thought to explain not only diseases of old age but also characteristic emotional, sensory, cognitive, and behavioural traits. For the 4th–5th centuries, this medical literature has not yet been systematically studied. Early evidence suggests that philosophers, monks, and devout lay Christians deliberately used ascetic regimens to accentuate “old‑age” humoral states in order to cultivate virtues associated with ageing.

Approach

Building on this foundation, the subproject addresses four sets of research questions

• Vocabulary: How does the lexicon related to ageing change in 4th–6th‑century medical and body‑focused texts? Which new or redefined terms emerge to describe ageing bodies and minds?  
• Concepts: What specific concepts of ageing are introduced in late antique medical and physiological literature? How are age, decline, and maturity theorised?  
• Regulations: Which norms, regimens, and treatments are prescribed for aged bodies in this period? How do ascetic and medical “rules” for the elderly intersect?  
• Cases: Which concrete case narratives (e.g. in hagiography, monastic rules, or medical anecdotes) reveal medical and social attitudes to ageing bodies, and how do they illustrate patterns of care, control, or conflict across generations?