ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the cultural and societal context in which Byzantine children grew up and concerns the representation of the identities and relationships of children with their families, most usually with one or more parents or with siblings. It questions how important such ties were and the roles played by each member of the family, as well as the nature of the families. The discussion considers who is included or excluded in family arrangements and whether such groupings portray parents and their shared biological children, or a more limited or extensive and varied selection of people. It explores where such representations are found and what they reveal about attitudes towards the family and familial relationships as well as the role the images may have played in forming or reflecting societal attitudes towards children.
