Around 500 BC, the silphium plant, native to Cyrene (modern-day Libya), was widely recognized in the Mediterranean for its effectiveness as an oral contraceptive and abortifacient. The resin extracted from silphium was highly valued and traded, leading to its near extinction due to overharvesting. Its use highlights the historical understanding of reproductive health and the reliance on natural remedies in ancient societies. The significance of silphium extends beyond its medicinal properties, as it reflects the cultural attitudes towards sexuality and family planning in ancient times.

The silphium plant, used as a contraceptive in Cyrene, became a symbol in poetry and myths of controlled fertility, influencing themes of love, population, and nature's gifts in Greek and Roman verse. Poets like Sappho and Ovid incorporated these themes, reflecting societal attitudes toward love and desire.