Birthrates Quote by Eileen Power
““...it is plain that the proportion of celibates was high in the Roman empire and that the fall in the fertility of marriages was going on. It is the childless marriage, the small family system that contemporary writers deplore…'The human harvest was bad,' It was bad in all classes, but the decline was most marked in the upper ranks, the most educated, the most civilized, the potential leaders of the race.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Social History of England, 1500‑1760, Eileen Power, 1927
The passage notes high celibacy and childless marriages in Rome, linking them to societal decline among elites.
In simple terms: Roman celibacy linked to elite decline.
Key Takeaway
Recognize social patterns affecting demographics.
Themes
history
demography
societal change
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
academic
Type
historical
social
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- policy planning
- education
- public health
Key Concepts
population decline
family structure
elite behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What other factors contributed?
- How can modern societies avoid similar trends?
A Different Perspective
Historical causation is complex and multifactorial.
