Scribonia Attice: The Midwife of Ostia

Scribonia Attice: The Midwife of Ostia

In the port town of Ostia during the 4th century AD, few names inspired more respect—and curiosity—than that of Scribonia Attice, a midwife with a reputation for miracles. In her early forties, Scribonia had become a beloved figure among the women of Ostia, known for her calm presence, deep knowledge of childbirth, and, as some whispered, a touch of magic.

Her remedies, made from local herbs gathered from the surrounding marshes and hills, were often enhanced with exotic ingredients arriving through Ostia’s harbor—precious powders, oils, and roots shipped from the far eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Scribonia kept the recipes secret, passed down through generations of women in her family. Some claimed she could turn a dangerous birth into a safe one with nothing but a whispered prayer and a spoonful of her potion.

Born to a freedwoman of African descent and a Roman grain merchant, Scribonia grew up among the docks and warehouses of Ostia, absorbing both practical knowledge and old folk wisdom. She married twice: first to a Greek sailor who died at sea, and then to a quiet potter from Campania. From these unions came her three children: Marcus, a serious young man apprenticed to a scribe in Rome; Julia, a lively girl training under her mother; and Flavia, the youngest, with a curious mind and a love for scrolls.

In recent years, Scribonia Attice had grown increasingly drawn to a new faith spreading quietly through the streets of Ostia—a religion born in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, promising hope, equality, and eternal life beyond death. Its teachings spoke of compassion, humility, and a paradise awaiting all who lived justly, regardless of birth or wealth. For a woman who had seen both the pain and beauty of life in her work, this message resonated deeply. Though she still honored the old household gods, a small carved fish now hung by her apothecary shelf—subtle but telling proof of her quiet devotion to this new path.

As the Roman Empire struggled with change and uncertainty, Scribonia remained a constant in Ostia—a symbol of healing, tradition, and quiet strength. Her story, half history and half legend, still echoes in the ancient stones of the city.

You might discover more about the tale of Scribonia by booking our walking tour: “Ostia Antica and the Borghetto“