<P> In ancient Rome, childbirth brought upon high risk to both mother and child due to a greater chance of complications, which included infection, uterine hemorrhage, and the young age of the mothers . Women relied mainly on the religious and superstitious practices associated with medicine at this time . After conception, women would rest in bed to "preserve the seed ." To treat pregnancy symptoms they would eat a bland diet of eggs or rice and would be massaged with olive oil . Plants and herbs such as dittany leaves, scordotis in hydromel and the root of vervain were used for relief during labor . Also, methodologies such as a drink powdered with sow's dung to relieve labor pains and fumes from hyena loin fat or placing the right foot of a hyena on the woman to induce an easy delivery were of use . The development of midwives greatly improved the birthing process for Roman women . Midwives assisted births in the home and prepared the mothers with oil for lubrication, warm water, sponges, and provided bandages for the newborn . During difficult births tools with sharp hooks would be used to extract the baby . Once the baby was born the midwife would cut the umbilical cord, remove the placenta and then they would decide if the child was worth keeping . Once declared fit to live, as a Roman ritual the midwife would place the child on the ground for the head of the household to then raise up and claim it to rear . </P> <P> Infants in ancient Rome were not named until days after they were born (females 8 days, males 9 days) due to a high infant mortality rate . On the 8th or 9th day a gathering would occur consisting of family and friends bearing gifts . Then a sacrifice would be made and the child would be named and given a bulla to identify him or her as freeborn . </P> <P> Romans kept track of the passing of time by celebrating their birthday every year . These celebrations consisted of wine, garlands of flowers, ritual cakes, and fire on the domestic altar . A child who reached its first birthday (stage known as anniculus) was able to have legal privileges and the parents could apply for full Roman citizenship for their child . The ages of 5 - 7, children were seen to have more rational minds and were expected to take on responsibility around the home such as taking care the animals, gathering materials, and general chores around the house . Also during these years, children were considered to be aware of social and sexual roles and children's groups were organized by gender at that time . The age of 5 was around the end of what was considered to be the infant stage (infantia). At this age Romans knew children were able to understand speech, making them eligible for betrothal . Roman law classified some ages at which a child can have social, moral, or criminal responsibility . Under the age of 14, a child was considered to be doli incapax (incapable of criminal intent). A child older than 10, however, still had the possibility of being held responsible for a criminal act if it could be proven that they understood their offense . Rome's laws did not use imprisonment or the death penalty for the purpose of criminal punishment generally, and the Valerian and Porcian laws exempted all Roman citizens from degrading and shameful forms of punishment, such as whipping, scourging, or crucifixion; but in the case of theft (for example; furtum), the child and his / her family would be punished by being required to return the stolen object, and in some cases two or four times the value of the stolen object . The age of marriage for girls could be as young as 12 and for men, around 25 years of age . By the age the reached puberty boys underwent a ritual transitioning them into manhood . The ceremony involves them removing their bulla and the tunic they wore through childhood and put on a man's toga while accompanied by their fathers and other relatives . The stages of life the Roman state took note of were birth and coming of age for males, and death . On these days taxes and financial offerings were due . </P> <P> See Family and Marriage in ancient Rome . </P>

When did a roman boy became a man