Instant Classics Instant Answers: New Year’s Day Q&A
Jan 1, 2026
Curious about ancient treasures? Dive into the secrets of how Romans stashed their cash, from temple treasuries to household locks. Unearth the fascinating world of women's health in ancient times, and discover the roles of midwives through historical texts. Tackle the reasons behind the revival of spoken Latin and explore the evidence of a Jewish presence in Roman Britain. Finally, ponder if any ancient deities can truly be considered feminist icons, as the discussion reveals the complexities behind these mythic figures.
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Romans Hid Wealth, Not Banked It
- Most Romans kept valuables at home in locked chests or hid them, not in banks as we understand them today.
- Temples served as safe-deposit vaults for the elite and the state treasury (e.g., the Temple of Saturn) functioned as public bank.
Buried Hoards Reveal Lost Savings
- Archaeologists find many hoards because owners buried valuables in crisis and never retrieved them.
- Mary jokes she would forget the hiding spot, leaving treasures for later discovery by plough or metal detector.
Texts Vs Tools: Two Medical Worlds
- Written medical texts (Hippocratic corpus, Soranus) often show misogynistic theories while material finds show practical care.
- Instruments like a Pompeii gynecological speculum and tombstone reliefs reveal active, skilled midwifery in practice.