Ancient Greeks Forced Right-Handedness

Ancient Greeks Forced Right-Handedness on Children

On a sunny day in 500 BCE, in the city of Athens, the philosopher Aristotle witnessed a common practice where children were forced to write with their right hands, regardless of their natural inclination. This practice was not unique to Athens, as the historian Herodotus noted in his book "The Histories" that it was a widespread custom in ancient Greece. By 380 BCE, the philosopher Plato was already criticizing this practice in his writings.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the ancient Greeks simply preferred the right hand over the left, but the standard story goes that this preference was rooted in a deeper cultural and religious significance. The left hand was often associated with the heart, and the right hand with the brain, but this simplistic explanation does not fully capture the complexity of the issue. In reality, the ancient Greeks had a multifaceted view of handedness, influenced by their social, cultural, and philosophical beliefs.

What History Actually Shows

The ancient Greek historian Xenophon, in his book "The Symposium", written around 360 BCE, describes how children were actively discouraged from using their left hands, and were even punished for doing so. The historian Plutarch, writing in 100 CE, also notes that the left hand was considered inferior, and that children were forced to write with their right hands as a matter of course. The fact that the ancient Greeks believed the left hand was associated with the female, receptive principle, while the right hand was associated with the male, active principle, is a key factor in understanding their views on handedness. The philosopher Aristotle, in his work "De Anima", written around 350 BCE, discusses the concept of "dexterity" and how it relates to the right hand, further solidifying the idea that the right hand was considered superior. By 300 BCE, the practice of forcing children to write with their right hands had become widespread, with the historian Diodorus Siculus noting that it was a common practice in many Greek cities. As the Greek philosopher Galen, writing in 180 CE, observed, this practice had significant implications for the development of children's motor skills and cognitive abilities.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Edward Gibbon and philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche contributed to the suppression of this story by focusing on the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization, while glossing over its more problematic aspects. The decision by early Christian scholars to translate and interpret ancient texts in a way that downplayed or omitted references to left-handedness also played a significant role. Specifically, the Christian church's influence on education and literacy led to a lack of documentation about the forced right-handedness of Greek children, making it difficult for later historians to reconstruct this aspect of ancient Greek culture. As a result, the story of left-handedness being seen as evil was relegated to the footnotes of history, with many historians prioritizing the study of ancient Greek politics, philosophy, and art over social and cultural practices.

The Ripple Effect

The forced right-handedness of ancient Greek children had concrete consequences, such as the development of specialized tools and utensils that were designed for right-handed individuals. This, in turn, affected the way people performed everyday tasks, from eating to writing. A specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the design of computer mice, which are still predominantly designed for right-handed users, reflecting the centuries-old bias against left-handedness. Many left-handed individuals today still face difficulties in adapting to a world designed for right-handed people, from simple tasks like using scissors to more complex activities like playing musical instruments.

The Line That Says It All

The ancient Greek practice of forcing children to write with their right hand has resulted in a lasting legacy of left-handed individuals being accommodated as an afterthought in the design of everyday objects and tools.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Greek social and cultural practices.