Urban mortality in Greece: Hermoupolis (1859–1940)

The paper examines mortality patterns in the city of Hermoupolis, on Greek island Syros, from 1859 to 1940. It produces important new insights into Mediterranean urban historical demography and is first comprehensive study Greece, utilising largest one longest time series at individual level yet calculated civil registration census data. Abridged life tables were constructed for a settlement, enabling calculation age-specific rates expectancies. Hermoupolis experienced much higher levels than national average. findings suggest that early childhood started decline rapidly late nineteenth century onwards, with declines adulthood infancy following. reinforces confirms our limited knowledge about timing transition Greece. proposes an penalty was clearly operating country even during twentieth century. Finally, this suggests combination factors responsible including wider access water, which when it not clean enough drink, nevertheless enabled improvements personal hygiene among residents city.