"An important contribution to understanding the cycle of pregnancy, birth and death in which Roman women lived. The world of Veturia, and of her invisible sisters throughout the Roman empire, comes alive in its pages."---Helen King, Times Literary Supplement "Birthing Romans is a compelling and powerful book"---Gaia Gianni, American Journal of Philology "A new history of Imperial Rome that analyzes social hierarchy, imperial stability, and cultural continuity. . . . Birthing Romans broadens the understanding of Roman society by shedding light on an oftenoverlooked component of social engineering: childbearing." * Choice * "Birthing Romans: Childbearing and its Risks in Imperial Rome offers an in-depth analysis of how pregnancy and childbirth were understood in the Roman Empire. . . . [ and] presents a cohesive argument of sufficient weight to become a key work in discussions of pregnancy, childbirth and risk management in ancient societies."---Helena López Gómez, Bryn Mawr Classical Review "Bonnell Freidin has demonstrated the multileveled complexities of pregnancy and childbirth, from the individual to the social. This implies a new approach to already well-known facts of risks with childbearing in antiquity and presents an alternate way of writing ancient history."---Lena Larsson Lovén, American Historical Review "Birthing Romans powerfully illustrates how birthing in Rome created indispensable networks, both human and non-human, influenced politics, and was fundamental to a vast and complex society. [ It] is sure to become essential reading for students and scholars of Roman social, medical, and political history alike."---Sheena Finnigan, Continuity and Change "A fresh approach. . . .Freidins use of every kind of evidence and generative methodology offers an enlivening perspective on birthing, the most critical process of Roman society and, thus, of Roman history."---Pauline Ripat, Current World Archaeology
