October 6, 404: Death of Aelia Eudoxia following bleeding from a miscarriage after her 7th pregnancy. She loved to use cross designs & 1st provided cross candlesticks for use in processions. Risk of death in ancient childbirth was ca. 17/ 1000. Today? 23.8 deaths per 100k births.

The coin above was found via @Europeanaeu 's amazing database (with many images under open CC licenses). It is a gold solidus of Eudoxia minted under Arcadius and now at the @KhmWien: https://www.europeana.eu/en/item/15502/MK_R__30078 and at the museum: https://www.khm.at/de/objektdb/detail/1146256/ Obverse: SALVS REI - PVBLICAE

Many women sat and cried quietly while reading about @chrissyteigen and @johnlegend's loss last week. We've lost many too, as have many families across the country. Perhaps Aelia Eudoxia is a reminder that miscarriage is and has always been a heartbreaking loss & maternal threat.