Asklepios, Medicine, and the Politics of Healing in Fifth-Century Greece: Between Craft and Cult

摘要: Delving deeply into ancient medical history, Bronwen L. Wickkiser explores the early development and later spread of cult Asklepios, one most popular healing gods in Mediterranean. Though Asklepios had been known as a healer since time Homer, evidence suggests that large numbers people began to flock during fifth century BCE, just practitioners Hippocratic medicine were gaining dominance. Drawing on close readings period texts, literary sources, archaeological evidence, earlier studies, finds two primary causes for cult's ascendance: it filled gap market created by refusal physicians treat difficult chronic ailments abetted Athenian political needs. supports these challenging theories with side-by-side examinations practices at Asklepios' sanctuaries those espoused treatises. She also how Athens' aspirations empire influenced its decision open city healer-god's cult. In focusing considering medical, political, religious dimensions presents complex, nuanced picture rise popularity, society, Mediterranean culture. The intriguing sometimes surprising information she will be valued historians classicists alike.