BOEIO A, 18: 272 - 275, 2006

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Tabakis Th. The thoughts of ancient Greeks for foetus life. Neonatology Department MEN. General
University Hospital, Alexandroupoli Greece. Paediatr N Gr 2006, 18: 272 - 275.
Giving soul to the foetus had deeply concerned the ancient Greeks. Two were the main philosophical
theories. The Stoics believed that the soul already existed but it became active as soon as the baby was
born. The Aristotelians, the majority, shared the opinion that the soul invaded the babys body right after
its birth. This matter had puzzled juridical decisions, particularly in the case of abortion. It was not just a
matter of taking life away, but also an issue of inheritance, especially for the boy. The charge of homicide
was questionable and depended on the legal arguments of the suitors regarding the foetus soul. The problem was even more intense, when hereditary issues occurred with the father s death after the abortion.
Key words: foetus, giving soul, ancient Greece.

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:
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. 368
681 00
Corresponding author:
Th. Tambakis
Leof. Dimokratias 368
681 00 Alexandroupoli
Greece