this is a myth that comes out of misunderstanding life expectancy data. people coming at you with the 70s-80s ‘expectancy after childhood’ are people making the observation that people have been observed to reach such ages in the historical record, proving nothing biological has changed for human longevity in recorded history. the ancient man was not genetically pre-disposed to die sooner.
but they were socially disposed to live and die brief lives because of class disparities, violence, and diseases they had no recourse against. it’s all well and good to make a list of old patrician romans and their long lives, but 93% of the roman empire was under the age of 25. these numbers didn’t pop out of thin air, they’re made from records, gravestones, and bodies, of which children are the least represented demographic.
Dante btw said it was the middle of life but croaked before he crossed that finish line lol
this is a myth that comes out of misunderstanding life expectancy data. people coming at you with the 70s-80s ‘expectancy after childhood’ are people making the observation that people have been observed to reach such ages in the historical record, proving nothing biological has changed for human longevity in recorded history. the ancient man was not genetically pre-disposed to die sooner.
but they were socially disposed to live and die brief lives because of class disparities, violence, and diseases they had no recourse against. it’s all well and good to make a list of old patrician romans and their long lives, but 93% of the roman empire was under the age of 25. these numbers didn’t pop out of thin air, they’re made from records, gravestones, and bodies, of which children are the least represented demographic.
Dante btw said it was the middle of life but croaked before he crossed that finish line lol
you make good points, here. I’ll try to internalize them and remember them when discussing this in the future. Thanks!