Ancient Medicine Midterm Questions (CLAS 2400-01)

Hippocrates, On the Sacred Disease

Hippocrates, On the Sacred Disease

Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine," authored "On the Sacred Disease" in the Classical period of Greece, marking a pivotal shift towards understanding health through naturalistic means rather than supernatural explanations. In this text, he argues that epilepsy is a medical condition with natural causes, challenging the prevailing belief that it was divine or sacred. Hippocrates emphasizes the importance of observation and rationality in diagnosing and treating diseases, revealing ancient ideas about health and sickness that prioritized physical and environmental factors over spiritual ones. This work relates closely to Galen's writings, which further develop the naturalistic approach, and Aristotle's biological studies, which also emphasize observation. A recognizable quote from the text would likely focus on the natural causes of disease, employing straightforward language that reflects Hippocrates' empirical methodology.

Hippocrates, On Regimen for Health

Hippocrates' On Regimen for Health is a foundational text in ancient medicine, authored by the "Father of Medicine," Hippocrates, in the 5th century BCE. It emphasizes the importance of balance in maintaining health through personalized dietary and lifestyle choices, taking into account factors such as age, season, and individual constitution. The text reflects the ancient belief in the balance of humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—as crucial for well-being. Its ideas connect to other works, such as On the Sacred Disease, which rationalizes health conditions, and Galen's The Art of Medicine, which expands on Hippocratic principles. Key features of the text include its focus on individual health needs and nutritional guidance, making it recognizable in discussions about ancient medical practices.

Hippocrates, Airs, Water, Places

Hippocrates' Airs, Waters, and Places is attributed to Hippocrates, a Greek physician often referred to as the father of medicine. Written in the 5th century BCE, this work emerges from a period of significant intellectual development in ancient Greece, reflecting a growing interest in understanding natural causes of health and illness. The text argues that environmental factors—such as air quality, water sources, and geographical location—profoundly influence health. It emphasizes the balance required for maintaining wellness, echoing ancient Greek beliefs about the body's constitution and humoral theory. This text aligns with Hippocrates’ On Regimen for Health, which also discusses the importance of lifestyle and diet in relation to health, illustrating the broader Hippocratic commitment to empirical observation and the natural world. Additionally, it relates to Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, which recounts the plague in Athens, showing how environmental and social factors can drastically affect public health. Identifying features from Hippocrates' work might include references to specific local conditions and their health impacts, emphasizing observation over supernatural explanations, which distinguish it from other medical texts.

Homer’s Illiad

Homer's Iliad is attributed to Homer, a legendary figure in ancient Greek literature whose works date back to the 8th century BCE. The Iliad emerges from a time when oral storytelling was prominent, reflecting cultural beliefs in fate, divine influence, and the nature of heroism. In this epic, health and sickness are often intertwined with notions of honor and the will of the gods, such as in lines 1.1-100 and 11.504-520, where the consequences of war manifest as both physical wounds and emotional turmoil. This connection between health, divine intervention, and the human experience contrasts with Ovid's Metamorphoses, specifically in Book 15, which explores transformation as a metaphor for human fragility and the impact of external forces on the body and psyche. Ovid's work, written in the early 1st century CE, reflects the transition from a focus on heroic ideals to personal narratives, emphasizing that physical changes often mirror internal states, underscoring the theme of metamorphosis as a response to desire or fate.

Pindar's Pythian 3

Pindar's Pythian 3, composed in the early 5th century BCE, celebrates athletic achievements and connects physical health to moral virtue, suggesting that success in the games is a sign of divine favor. This idea echoes the themes in Sophocles' Ajax, where mental health and honor collide, as Ajax's descent into madness after failing to claim Achilles' armor illustrates the fragility of the human psyche in the face of societal expectations (lines 1-480). In The Women of Trachis, also by Sophocles, the tragic fates of characters like Deianeira reveal the consequences of emotional turmoil and misguided intentions, linking personal suffering to larger themes of fate and the gods' will (lines 622-end).

Sophocles, Ajax

Sophocles' Ajax tells the story of Ajax, a warrior overwhelmed by rage and humiliation after being denied Achilles' armor. The play highlights themes of mental health, as Ajax's pride leads him to madness, causing him to mistakenly kill livestock and ultimately commit suicide. This tragedy emphasizes the fragile state of a warrior’s psyche, illustrating the devastating effects of honor and societal expectations. Ajax’s internal conflict resonates with Homer’s Iliad, where themes of honor and fate intertwine, as well as with Ovid’s Metamorphoses, where psychological turmoil leads to transformative experiences.

Sophocles, The Women of Trachis

The Women of Trachis focuses on Deianeira, who, fearing the loss of her husband Heracles to Iole, uses a love potion that inadvertently causes his suffering and death. This play explores the complexities of love, betrayal, and the consequences of misguided actions, reflecting Deianeira’s emotional turmoil and limited agency as a woman. The themes of personal crisis and relational dynamics in The Women of Trachis parallel those in Ajax and can be further connected to Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, where emotional and mental states impact societal events.

Sophocles’ Philoctetes

Sophocles' Philoctetes tells the story of a heroic warrior abandoned on the island of Lemnos due to a festering wound. The play explores themes of isolation, betrayal, and the struggle for agency, highlighting Philoctetes' deep resentment toward the Greek leaders who deserted him. His internal conflict between pain and desire for revenge reflects the broader human condition and connects to Sophocles' Ajax, where Ajax's pride and honor lead to tragic consequences, culminating in his own abandonment and demise. Both characters grapple with feelings of betrayal and the search for validation in a world that has forsaken them.

Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, particularly in Book 2.47-55, recounts the devastating plague that struck Athens during the war, emphasizing the psychological and social turmoil that ensued. This narrative complements the themes in Philoctetes, as both texts delve into human suffering and the consequences of isolation—Philoctetes through his physical abandonment and the Athenians through the societal breakdown caused by the plague. Furthermore, both Philoctetes and The Women of Trachis depict characters grappling with the fallout of their decisions and the emotional turmoil that arises from their circumstances, showcasing how personal crises echo within a broader societal context

What is the difference between empircist and dogmatist?

Empiricist were pro-expereince, and anti vivisection/dissection

Dogmatists were pro-theory, and pro vivsection/dissection

Where and when in the Greek world did human dissection and vivisection flourish? Give one reason why this was the case

• Alexandria, Helenstic period

• Where much more comfortable with the handing of human remains than the greeks were.

• Have patronage from the family talibens family to learn as much science

• The family gives prisoners, people they didn't think were human anymore.

One feature according to Aristotle that distinguishes humans from animals?

• Humans can think about the past at will.

• Humans can deliberate and weigh different options. 

• Humans have human-like features, blood, different-colored eyes, etc.

What is the difference between enema and emetic?

• Emetic: a substance that causing vomiting

  • Emein (Greek): to vomit

  • Get phlegm out 

• Enema: a procedure in which liquid or gas is injected into the rectum, typically to expel its contents

  • Enienai (Greek): to put or send in

  • Get bile out

Define gymnastike. How did Galen view its relationship to iatrike?

Galen said that gymnastike is something for the preservation of health; for hygienic rather than therapeutic

• Kinesiology

Name on analysis technique used in bioarchaeology and what kind of information it can tell us about ancient nutrition.

• Ostreoarcheology: looking at dental records; tell us what kinds of foods people eat; hard shell carbohydrates.

• Stable Isotopes: breakdown of the diet and what they ate; what types of vegetables

What did authors mean by the dynamic of a food?

• Dynamis (Greek) = inherent powers and properties of foods

  • Ability to do something 

• Substances eaten, drank, or applied to the body and understood to have their own specific power; doctor applies these “powers”

According to On The Regimen of Health, when prescribing a diet, which five factors need to be considered?

Age, climate, humoral disposition, habit, season

How was Airs, Waters, Places intended to help ancient doctors?

• A pocket guide for all (even traveling) doctors to follow. 

• Gives us which illnesses happen in which locations and how to treat them. 

• What to expect when traveling to different places. 

• Want to quickly be able to assess the new location, so doesn’t get surprised by a new disease. 

• A quick start guide to being a doctor in a new place.

Why is Galen such a dominating force in ancient medicine and why are there fewer contradictory theories to Galen?

• Galen’s comprehensive writings synthesized earlier medical knowledge.

• His authority was bolstered by extensive clinical practice and experimentation.

• Fewer contradictions arose because his theories became widely accepted and disseminated in medical education.

In Airs, Waters, Places, what does Hippocrates say about how climate and environment affect the people in Europe and Asia?

• Climate influences health, temperament, and physical constitution.

• Europeans are generally sturdier due to their colder climate, while Asians are softer due to warmer climates.

What tool does Galen recommend to exercise with and why?

Galen recommends using a small ball for exercise to improve physical fitness without excessive strain.

Name one major contribution to medical knowledge from the Hellenistic Period.

The development of anatomy through dissections and systematic observations, notably by Herophilus and Erasistratus

Name three foods in the ancient Mediterranean diet.

• Olive oil, bread, and fish.

Define the terms limos and loimos. In what ways do these terms relate to ancient medicine?

• Limos: Famine or scarcity; relates to nutrition and health.

• Loimos: Plague or disease; connects to understanding epidemics and medical treatments.

What is broad generalization and how does Airs, Waters, Places introduce issues of broad generalization?

• Broad generalization is making sweeping statements based on limited evidence.

• In Airs, Waters, Places, Hippocrates generalizes health impacts based on geography, which may overlook individual variations.

What are the schools of ancient medical thought and what are their beliefs?

• Hippocratic: Emphasizes natural causes of disease and holistic treatment.

• Galenic: Focuses on the balance of humors and anatomy.

• Asclepiadic: Centers on religious and ritual healing

• (read discussion post)

According to Galen, what are the four principles for working out?

Gradual increase in intensity, variety in exercises, attention to diet, and proper rest.

What was the significance of Chiron in ancient medicine?

Chiron, the centaur, was a mentor to heroes and known for his healing skills, symbolizing the integration of knowledge and skill in medicine

Aeloius Aristides “The Sons of Asclepius

The author is aelius aristidies. He is a sophist, someone who will travel to different places to teach people; draws people. Aristides beloeved that he has a dream that Aesclipius gave to him and that he owuld have to follow the orders of god to get what he wanted. The book is bout a specific hymn dedicated to Aclepius. This period saw the continues influence of classical Greek thought alongside the rise of Christianity and other movements. Aristides most likely wrote this hymn during the 2nd century.. Aristides references Asclepius” sons, highlighting their role in spreading Asclepius’s knowledge,

Aristotle, History of Animals Book 1

The author is Aristotle. He was from the 4th century. He was a student of Plato but broke from him and created his philosophical school called Lyceum. Aristotle has a peripatetic philosophy. It reflects the intellectual movement towards empirical observation in contrast to the abstract thinking of earlier philosophers like Plato. Aristotle studied direct observation and classification. He sought to understand the world through detailed descriptions of anatomy and behavior. It is structured to represent Aristotle’s desire to categorize and organize information.

Galen, Art of Medicine

The author is Galen. He was in 129-c.200, in Pergamum and Rome. He became the official doctor of 4 different Roman empires. Galen was ethnically Greek but was a Roman citizen. Galen gave public lectures that were supposed to be accessible to a big audience. The Art of Medicine focuses on defining medicine's core principles and categories. The text focuses on providing a clear definition of medicine. Galen identifies 3 main categories of medical knowledge, indicative, preservative, and therapeutic. Glaen built on Hippocratic teachings, especially about the humoral theory. Galen advanced his knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Provides the humoral theory, the balance of the four bodily humors. Emphasizes diet and exercise, and gives an understanding of anatomy. It is recognizable because it focuses on anatomical knwoeldge

Galen, On exercise with a small ball

• The author is Galen. He was in 129-c.200, in Pergamum and Rome. He became the official doctor of 4 different Roman empires. Galen was ethnically Greek but was a Roman citizen. Galen gave public lectures that were supposed to be accessible to a big audience.

• Galen's On Exercise with a Small Ball reflects the intellectual and historical context of Roman medicine in the 2nd century CE, where physical exercise was seen as essential for maintaining health and balancing the body’s humor. Influenced by Greek medical and philosophical traditions, Galen emphasized the importance of physical fitness for overall well-being, aligning with Hippocratic ideas about health through balanced living.

• it is recognizable because it is an emphasis on exercise and humoral balance.

Hipporcrates, On Ancient Medicine

• Hippocrates was a historical figure in 450-370 BCE. He described himself as the sons of Aesclipius. He was based in the Cos-site of a temple of Aesclipius

• The text represents a shift from supernatural explanations to more rational approaches. It introduces the idea of humoral theory. It was written during a time of signifiant philosophical development.

• The text discusses natural causes of disease and emphasizes diet and lifestyle importance. It introduces the concept of bodily humors and their role in health.

• It is recognizable because it talks about humoral theory, it focuses of diet and lifestyle, and has an emphasis of natural causes of disease.

Hippocrates, The Nature of Man

• Hippocrates was a historical figure in 450-370 BCE. He described himself as the sons of Aesclipius. He was based in the Cos-site of a temple of Aesclipius

• It talks about the transition to rational ideas about medicine. It incorporates ideas of early phiosophers that talk about the elements (earth, water, fire, air) as foundational understanding of human health. It talks bout humoral theory development. It was written during a time of significant intellectual advancement in Greece, separating from religious times.

• Recognizable because talks about humoral theory, elemental framework and empirical approach

• can be connected to Hippocrates on Ancient Medicine and On the sacred disease

• Airs, Waters, Places and the Regimen of Health also speak on the changes in environment that influence the character of the individual.

Hippocrates on ancient disease

• Hippocrates was a historical figure in 450-370 BCE. He described himself as the sons of Aesclipius. He was based in the Cos-site of a temple of Aesclipius

• Hippocrates’ On the Sacred Disease, written in the 5th century BCE, challenges the idea that epilepsy is caused by divine forces. Instead, it argues that the disease has natural explanations, reflecting a growing trend in ancient Greece toward rational and scientific thinking about health. This text highlights the importance of observation and systematic study in medicine. It also emphasizes treating patients with dignity, moving away from superstitions and religious practices in medical care.

• Can connect to Hippocrates On Ancient Medicine and The Nature of Man

“A good healer is worth many other men.” Who says this, in which text, and what prompts it?

The quote “A good healer is worth many other men” is attributed to Hippocrates in the text "The Sacred Disease." This statement reflects Hippocrates' belief in the value of a skilled physician and emphasizes the importance of medical knowledge and practice. It is prompted by his argument against the superstition surrounding epilepsy, where he asserts that a knowledgeable healer can provide real understanding and effective treatment, contrasting the value of rational medical practice with the reliance on divine intervention or magical explanations.

What is this symbol called, and what do its two elements represent?

• the cadeuces

• Symbols of the staff of Aescplius and divine healing snakes

• Staff associated with Asclepius because he was a traveler.

You have been suffering from a chronic illness and have decided to visit the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus. What are the steps you will take in your healing process?

• take a nap and sacrifice, incubation is the sleep. 

• Purify yourself. 

• Motive dedication are statue of body parts that need to be healed. The thing that needs to be fixed; fulfilling the vow that you made to Asclepius if he healed you

• Interpretation and therapy

• The dream and something happens to you when sleeping, and have a priest interpret; do some sort of prescription that the priest makes

• Purify, sacrifice, incubate, interpret, and dedicate.

What is miasma? How is it defined differently in Hippocrates’ works and in Greek tragedy?

• Pollution.

• Bad air; then talking as Hippocrates

• Religious stain, and blood guilt (you killed somebody), need to be cleaned before comeback in contact with the gods

• This can happen when being around someone who died, menstruating, or being around someone who is menstruating. 

• Holy water. 

• Natural pollution and spiritual pollution. 

• Mostly talking about religious pollution

• Is the language of the Hippocratic doctors

• Comes up in air, water, and places.

Match the ancient author to the literary genre:
o Authors: Homer, Ovid, Pindar, Sophocles, Aelius Aristides
o Genres: Epic Poetry, Tragedy, Oratory, Lyric Poetry

• Sophocles: tragedy

• Pindar: lyric poetry 

• Aelius Aristides: oratory

• Ovid: epic poetry 

• Homer: epic poetry

Name four humors?

Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile

Give three English words that derive from the Greek iatros

• Pediatrics, geriatrics, iatrogenic, podiatrist,

Match each ancient medical specialist with where they practiced.
o Doctors: Herophilus, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Galen
o Places: Lyceum (Athens), Cos, Pergamum, Alexandria

• Herophilus: Alexandria

• Hippocrates: cos

• Aristotle: athens