WET NURSES IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA

Abstract

The article discusses, on the base of extant evidence (legal documents, wet nurses contracts, seals etc.) the status of a wet nurse, which was a special social group in Ancient Mesopotamia and had to do with wellbeing of the child. This profession was shaped most and foremost by religious and cultural traditions of the society, among which co-existed the opinion of to have many children as a positive thing and another opinion of breastfeeding as contraception and stumble block for female fertility. Some aspects of this profession were discussed in one of the ancient Codes od Law — The Code of Hammurabi (mid. 18th c. BC). Although the child didn’t hold the central position in ancient society of Mesopotamia, nevertheless he or she was the phenomenon which affected every strata of society: as symbol, image and event. Breastfeeding practice in the Ancient Near East lasted until the child became about 3 years old. The value of the child and need of breastfeeding was deeply rooted both in tradition of Mesopotamia and in myths where the goddess often breastfed the king or other newborns. Information is given about wet nurses’ responsibilities, criteria of good milk she had, payment etc. In spite of low social status in most of the cases, the wet nurses had legal rights, and, if they served honestly, were highly respected and could stay with their grown-up nurslings as nurses or “mothers”. A special place has the wet nurses in royal or noble families — this position became a certain social elevator that could change their lives.