But the OP has stated that it’s an identical but seperate timeline, so go ahead and meddle all you want.
As a woman, I’d never go to ancient Athens. The only place I’d even consider in ancient Greece might be Sparta, and even that’s no great win for the home team. Ancient Rome could be all right, comfortable even. Having toured Pompeii, those houses look pretty liveable. I think I could be comfortable there. Ancient Egypt I confess I don’t know enough about daily life for women who weren’t slaves or pharaohs to really judge. I think Rome would be the safe bet.
Could I go to Roman Britain? <whines>
Ok, Rome it is. But I’d better be a respected anomalie–an independent woman. And I want a manicure kit.
Ancient Rome, however not Rome itself, that would be way to close to the center of intrigue. I’d choose modern Spain, Hispania Citerior to the Romans – since Augusta conquers and Romanizes it.
As a woman I will need some kind of protection. Men fail, even wizards, I’m going with a Deity. Since I am wealthy I will build a temple to my god. It will be noted that I call my god “Father” when everyone else call’s him Lord. My people and I look different because we are different.
My modern understanding of agriculture will make sure my harvests are excellent, even when those around me are poor. Since I and my people have been vaccinated we don’t get sick and die, when those around us are hit with a plague. However, when this happens I am kind, and will cure some of the people – not just the rich (but mainly among them since this is where most of my friends are) but also some of the poor. All who live should, of course, give gifts to the temple of my god – for anything good I do, above normal people; I can do because I am his child.
I will keep the local garrison commander alive and happy with me with some rich gifts. Strange, isn’t it, how those officials who oppose or try to persecute me have members of their family die or they die? Death by tetrodotoxin is familiar due to both the puffer fish and toads being known. However, the modern odorless, transparent liquid, which can be injected into fruit on the vine or into sealed casts of wine, is totally unknown.
Since I have a good idea of what trade is going on in the rest of the world I will continue being a merchant – a merchant that continues to grow in wealth. I’m a good citizen, and a good neighbor. My armsmen are well behaved for the time and loyal to me because they are well paid – and they fear the wrath of my god. I think I can have a good life.
I’d go to Egypt just for all the hardcore Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments. If I play my cards right (snerk), I might even be able to hook me up some God Cards. Y-y-y-y-your move!
I think that as valuable as antibiotics and automatic weapons (again, hidden, and only enough ammo to be used for protection- not enough to get cocky) may be to your own survival, something I’d stock up on before relocating would be Viagra or its equivalents. Imagine how much of a friend you’d make of an aging governor or general if you could cure his sensitive little problem. (I wonder if it would still work if you ground it into powder and mixed it into a potion, for that would seem more medicinal to the ancients.)
Can I choose Rome and make a side-trip to Jerusalem. There’s a rumor of some kind of wonder-kid named Jesus growing up near there - I wonder if I could find him fishing someplace or giving a sermon on a mountain…
Given the info on ancient Greek wine, I’ll join the group heading for ancient Rome.
I’m not up on my in-timeline geography, but would Florence be a relatively out-of-the-way place? I’m figuring on setting up a “highly exclusive tavern” (read: Safe house for my fellow temporally displaced Dopers, with enough locals to provide a good cover story).
I know Egypt did of course, but did the Romans and the Greeks have beer?
The Romans did. They regarded it as a substandard beverage, much inferior to wine. Although it is rumored that Julius Caesar preferred beer to wine.
If I remember right, I think my tattoos would mark me as either an escaped criminal or escaped slave in any of the three. So, I’m boned.
What’s this about Ancient Greek wine? I didn’t get the memo. Is it all ouzo or something else?
Retsina. Sealed with pitch, and it has a decidedly turpentine quality. Dreadful stuff. Although to be fair, ancient Greece did produce some good wines, according to contemporary sources. But by all accounts, Roman wines, like their food, were vastly superior.
You weren’t supposed to drink it neat.
Then how are you supposed to drink the stuff? Dripping from a paint brush?
Removed double post
The Ancient Greeks drank it watered down.
If I had to pick and choose, I would choose Rome. The empire was stable and prosperous for a much longer period than Athens in her golden age, and a Roman citizen could travel much further than a citizen of a free Greek city could. It would also be easier to be wealthy and keep a low profile as a wealthy citizen of the empire under Augustus than it would be for a citizen of Athens or Sparta.
The one point I am unclear about and that would push me towards another time period separate from these is that almost all servants of this time period were slaves weren’t they?
Additionally, another problem for an inhabitant of a modern society would be the complete lack of privacy.
Like they weren’t in the other two time periods?
You just about have to accept that there is going to be slavery in any case/time posited by the OP. Doesn’t mean you have to exploit them. Be a kind, loving and generous master, set them free after a few years of good service with a nest egg to start a life as a freeman, and you would be doing more for them than they could otherwise hope for in that day and age. Fight slavery one slave at a time!
I would also choose the Roman Empire, northern Italy. Maybe I could introduce modern winter sports to the ancients and make my name that way… for all my advantages in knowledge, I wouldn’t want to practice medicine. Especially since the ancients didn’t always forgive their physicians when they proved to be fallible, or even just not godlike.
Another good reason to avoid Rome itself: according to Wikipedia, the draining of the Pontine Marshes wasn’t completed until 1928 [A.D.], under Mussolini! This, in spite of many ancient Roman emperors taking their whack at it, including Augustus. So, unless you’re naturally unappetizing to [malaria-carrying] mosquitoes, I strongly advise a cooler, drier climate.
Except of course for the good looking ones. Them you use for sex and light housework and free when they’re not that good looking anymore.