Agnodice: First Mid-Wife

The women who changed herself to become a midwife

In Ancient Greece, laws weren't in the favor of women. This is ironic because when I think of Ancient Greece I think of Athena, a woman so powerful she is the goddess of war. But maybe the real hero is Agnodice.

One sexist law was men were only allowed to become physicians because they believed if women had a career in medicine they would operate abortions. Sickening, yes!

However, that didn't stop Agnodice. She moved to Egypt where she could study medicine then came back to Greece until she was the best a delivering babies.

Keep in mind the law was still in the act but Agnodice still wanted to be a midwife so she... changed her appearance to a man.

Now the only way pregnant women could tell if Agnodice was actually a woman was flashing them... Well, that worked and many women left their male doctors to go to Agnodice. The men got jealous and took her to court when they found out her identity.

She was trialed for execution but was acquitted when all the women that she helped barged into the court to show solidarity.

Agnodice was then allowed to be the first women's gynecologist without flashing.

Thank you for breaking barriers!

Credit to: Bygone Badass Broads by Mackenzi Lee