Interrogating Infanticide/ Child Euthanasia in the Roman Christian Era, Vis-À-Vis the Abuja Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is an attempt to examine infanticide practices in the Roman Christian era and interrogate infanticide and child euthanasia in the same era. It also attempts to point out infanticide practices in Abuja and makes a distinction between infanticide and child euthanasia in Abuja. The study employed historical and comparative methodologies to highlight the issues surrounding infanticide/child euthanasia in the Roman Christian era and infanticide in Abuja. A deliberate attempt at population reduction and man’s instinctive nature towards his survival are some of the rationales for the practice of infanticide in antiquity and Abuja. The paper concludes with the argument that infanticide and child euthanasia are one and the same in antiquity, and infanticide in Abuja continues to be practiced due to lack of education and enlightenment of the people who performed them. Further studies could examine diverse religious inclinations toward infanticide/ or child euthanasia in the Graeco-Roman world and the modern world.

Keywords: infanticide, child euthanasia, Roman Christian era, Abuja

UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities vol 14 (2) 2013