Midwives and doctors utilized probes or vigorous physical activity (jumping, heavy lifting) to terminate pregnancies.

Potent herbs like pennyroyal, rue, and Queen Anne’s Lace were used to induce contractions.

In the absence of a social safety net, family size was strictly managed to prevent poverty.

While it contains a line against providing "pessaries to cause abortion," historians debate if this was a total ban or a specific rejection of dangerous, invasive methods. 🏛️ Social and Legal Context

The most famous contraceptive of antiquity. A giant fennel from Cyrene so effective and popular it was harvested to extinction by the 1st century CE.

Ancient medical texts are historical documents. Many substances mentioned—like or lead —are highly toxic and can be fatal.