Thanks for the news, Doina.

RE: The painting found at the House of the Physician in Pompeii.

As described in the Bible, two women have come to the Israelite monarch, each claiming to be the mother of the same infant. When Solomon orders the baby to be divided in half, the real mother, shown at the foot of the dais, pleads with him to spare the child and announces her willingness to relinquish her claim. The other woman is shown standing by the butcher block on which the infant has been placed. As a soldier raises an axe to do the king’s bidding, she seizes what she believes will be her portion, saying, according to the Biblical text, “Let it be neither mine, nor thine, but divide it.” It is obvious who the real mother is. The child is given to her unharmed as soldiers and observers look on, marveling at Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 3:16–28).
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I wonder who commiisioned this painting? As you pointed out, it is most interesting that a depiction of Socrates and Aristotle as children are found in the corner. They lived approximately 4-500 years after Solomon. Neither was Christian (nor was Solomon for that matter) nor did they have the scientific knowledge of today so their views on abortion were not exactly the same as ours...but they definitely (Like Solomon) were pro- life.