The world’s attitude toward children of the Hellenistic society in the 1st century was hostile. Of course, we all know that Herod had children put to death at the Advent according to Matthew 2:16-20. Children were in a precarious position. Sometimes they were loved. Sometimes they were exploited. This all depended upon how the family thought they could best benefit. There is a fragment of a letter believed to be dated 1 BC which contains instructions from a husband to his pregnant wife. She is instructed if it’s a boy, keep it; if it’s a girl cast it out. There was no Roman law which protected children in this case. Exposing children to the elements was not outlawed in Rome until 375 AD, in large part because of the Christian Church. It was the Christians who rescued babies.

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