The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization

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adoption

adoption

Greek

Greeks counted on their heirs for support in old age, and for continuation of their oikoi (families) and care of their tombs after death. But high mortality ensured that many had no surviving children. Adoption was a common recourse, probably encouraged by the great variation in fertility characteristic of populations with unreliable means of contraception. The fullest accounts can be provided for Gortyn (on Crete) and Athens in the Classical period.

The law code of Gortyn apparently modifies prior practice. It permits an adult male to adopt anyone he chooses, including someone without full membership in the community, even if he already has legitimate children; however, the inheritance of those adopted in such circumstances is less than it would be if they were themselves natural children. Adoptive fathers are to announce the adoption to a citizen assembly and make a...

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