Upson-Saia, Kristi /  Marx, Heidi / Secord, Jared

2023. 487 pp., 72 b/w illustrations, 1 map, 1 table

(Univ. of California Press)

(Pb. / Hb.) \9,394 / \35,310

This sourcebook provides an expansive picture of medicine, health, and healing in ancient Greece and Rome. Covering a wide array of fascinating topics—such as ancient diagnostic practices using the pulse and urine, gynecological theories of women’s illness, treatments involving drugs and surgery, the training and work of physicians, the experiences of patients, and various sites where healing took place—this volume will engage readers interested in the rich history of health and healthcare.

The volume brings together textual sources—many hard to access and some translated into English for the first time—as well as artistic, material, and scientific evidence, including:

Medical treatises
Case studies
Artistic works
Material artifacts
Archaeological evidence
Biomedical remains
Funerary monuments
Miracle narratives
Spells and magical recipes
With substantial explanation of these varied materials—through background chapters, introductions to the thematic chapters, a timeline, and a glossary—the volume is accessible to a broad audience.

Readers will come away with a nuanced understanding of the illnesses people in ancient Greece and Rome experienced, the range of healers from whom they sought help, and the various practices they employed to be healthy.