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Health and wellbeing in the ancient world
Health and wellbeing in the ancient world

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Week 5: Conception, generation and sexuality

Introduction

We all know where babies come from, and that they aren’t delivered by storks! Having an heir to inherit your wealth, and to ensure you were looked after in your old age, was crucial to people in the ancient world. This week, you will explore some of the different theories about conception and birth that were developed in the ancient world.

In the first video for the week, Helen King and Mathijs Lucassen discuss the gaps in modern knowledge about conception and birth, and the classical precedents for some modern developments.

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Video 1 The mysteries of new life
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NOTE: The branded products in this video are not intended to be an endorsement and have only been used for teaching purposes; there are other products available.