Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Brephotropheum

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

BREPHOTROPHE'UM and BREPHOTROPHI'UM (βρεφοτροφεῖον). A foundling-hospital; both words, however, the Latin as well as Greek, are of a late date, not occurring before the age of the Christian emperors, when foundlings were declared to be free, and those who received or educated them were forbidden by law to detain, or sell them as slaves (Imp. Justin. Cod. i. 2. 19.); for while the exposure, sale, or giving in pawn of children was commonly permitted and practised, it is not likely that any establishment of this kind would be maintained at the public expense.