Bloomsbury Home
A Cultural History of Medicine in Antiquity
A Cultural History of Medicine in Antiquity
- Delivery and returns info
-
Free US delivery on orders $35 or over
Description
Patient, disease and physician were the three corners of the 'medical triangle' according to one of the texts attributed to Hippocrates, a famous ancient Greek doctor. This volume, covering a period from roughly 800 BCE to 800 CE, examines and deconstructs these three aspects of ancient medicine in the Mediterranean world. It shows that, while physicians sought to assert themselves as experts in the medical art, they had to contend with numerous other healers whose methods, remedies and tools patients often favoured. It explores the ways in which civic entities, cities, kingdoms and empires, and their officials directly and indirectly shaped medical encounters and discoveries. It examines the interaction between medicine and the environment, non-human animals and plants.
To attempt a cultural history of medicine in antiquity requires bringing together a wealth of sources: the texts attributed to Hippocrates, Galen and other medical authors are not neglected, but they are studied alongside other literary and historical works, letters on papyri, funerary inscriptions celebrating healers, surgical tools and bioarchaeological remains. While discussing the enduring cultural impact of classical Greek and Roman medicine in the West, through texts such as the Hippocratic Oath or names of diseases and types of medicines, this volume reveals the various ways in which health, disease and medical treatments were experienced diversely in the ancient world, according to gender, socio-economic class and ethnicity.
Table of Contents
List of Tables
General Editors' Preface, Roger Cooter
Note on Ancient Medical Texts
Introduction, Laurence M. V. Totelin
1 Environment Ido Israelowich
2 Food John Wilkins
3 Disease Julie Laskaris
4 Animals Chiara Thumiger
5 Objects Patty Baker
6 Experiences Rebecca Flemming
7 Mind/Brain David Leith
8 Authority Laurence M. V. Totelin
Notes
Bibliography
Contributors
Index
Product details

Published | Sep 19 2024 |
---|---|
Format | Paperback |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 288 |
ISBN | 9781350451483 |
Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
Illustrations | 41 bw illus |
Dimensions | 10 x 7 inches |
Series | The Cultural Histories Series |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |

ONLINE RESOURCES
Bloomsbury Collections
This book is available on Bloomsbury Collections where your library has access.