Christian Laes professor

Research Christian Laes

Research team

Expertise

Socio-cultural history of Antiquity (Greek, Roman and Late) with special focus on life course (childhood, youth, marriage, sexuality, disabilities, old age, education). Greek and Roman epigraphy. Neo-Latin literature. Didactics of Latin and Ancient Greek.

Structural Determinants of Economic Performance in the Roman World 01/01/2017 - 31/12/2021

Abstract

The research program we propose asks three broad questions to inquire what drove economic development and how this in turn affected society: •How did humanly 'devised' institutions determine the growth or decline of the Roman economy ? How resilient was this institutional frame to stochastic shocks ? •Did the institutional framework change significantly in response to economic developments? •What was the role of ecological factors as geography, climate, or disease pools? Did nature-culture interactions sustain regional trajectories in the long term?

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project website

Project type(s)

  • Research Project

Funding for English translations of the monograph: "With Limitations? Disabilities in the Roman Empire". 01/12/2014 - 31/12/2015

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

    Project type(s)

    • Research Project

    Monograph "Jeugd in het Romeinse Rijk. Jonge haren, Wilde haren?". 01/04/2013 - 31/12/2013

    Abstract

    This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

    Researcher(s)

    Research team(s)

      Project type(s)

      • Research Project

      Tiny Voices from the Past: New perspectives on Childhood in Early Europe. 01/09/2012 - 30/06/2016

      Abstract

      This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the University of Oslo. UA provides the University of Oslo research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

      Researcher(s)

      Research team(s)

      Project type(s)

      • Research Project

      English version of the monography "Kinderen bij de Romeinen. Zes eeuwen dagelijks leven" (Roman children) 09/10/2007 - 31/12/2007

      Abstract

      Roman children often seem to be absent from the ancient sources. How did they spend their first years of life? Did they manage to find their way among the various educators, often slaves, who surrounded them from an early age? Was Roman education characterised by loving care or harsh discipline? What was it like to be a slave child? Were paedophilia and child labour accepted and considered 'normal'? This book focuses on all 'forgotten' Roman children: from child emperors to children in the slums of Rome, from young magistrates to little artisans, peasants and mineworkers. The author has managed to trace them down in a wide range of sources: literature and inscriptions, papyri, archaeological finds and ancient iconography. In Roman society, children were considered outsiders. But at the same time they carried within them all the hopes and expectations of the older generation, who wanted them to become full-fledged Romans

      Researcher(s)

      Research team(s)

        Project type(s)

        • Research Project