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OverviewTertullian of Carthage was the earliest Christian writer to argue against abortion at length, and the first surviving Latin author to consider the unborn child in detail. This book is the first comprehensive analysis of Tertullian’s attitude towards the foetus and embryo. Examining Tertullian’s works in light of Roman literary and social history, Julian Barr proposes that Tertullian's comments on the unborn should be read as rhetoric ancillary to his primary arguments. Tertullian’s engagement in the art of rhetoric also explains his tendency towards self-contradiction. He argued that human existence began at conception in some treatises and not in others. Tertullian’s references to the unborn hence should not be plucked out of context, lest they be misread. Tertullian borrowed, modified, and discarded theories of ensoulment according to their usefulness for individual treatises. So long as a single work was internally consistent, Tertullian was satisfied. He elaborated upon previous Christian traditions and selectively borrowed from ancient embryological theory to prove specific theological and moral points. Tertullian was more influenced by Roman custom than he would perhaps have admitted, since the contrast between pagan and Christian attitudes on abortion was more rhetorical than real. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Julian BarrPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd Imprint: Routledge Weight: 0.453kg ISBN: 9780367595340ISBN 10: 0367595346 Pages: 208 Publication Date: 30 June 2020 Audience: College/higher education , General/trade , Tertiary & Higher Education , General Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: In Print This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us. Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1: Rhetoric and the Unborn Chapter 2: The Christian Context Chapter 3: Tertullian’s Understanding of Prenatal Biology Chapter 4: The Pagan Context Conclusion Bibliography IndexReviewsAuthor InformationJulian Barr is a research fellow at the University of Queensland, where he completed his PhD in classics. He tutors ancient history and classical languages. His research interests include early Christianity, ancient medicine, and the Roman family. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |