CLAS 3239 | Ancient Medicine: The Classical Roots of the Medical Humanities: Classical Greek and Roman Art and Artifacts

Berlin F 2278: Achilles-Patroclus cup: Sosias Painter: Photograph by Maria Daniels, courtesy of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Preußischer Kulturbesitz: Antikensammlung, February - March 1992

Louvre CA 2183 (Vase), early Classical, ca. 480 BC - ca. 470 BC.

Pompeii, Wall Painting, c. 1st c. AD: House of Siricus

Panel of a Roman mosaic depicting the madness of Heracles (Hercules furens), from the Villa Torre de Palma near Monforte, 3rd-4th century CE (National Archaeology Museum of Lisbon, Portugal). © Carole Raddato

A mosaic from the Greek island of Cos (the birthplace of Hippocrates) depicting Hippocrates (seated) and a fisherman greeting the god Asklepios (center) as he either arrives or disembarks from the island. Second or third century CE. Image from: http://www.ostia-antica.org/kos/museum/museum.htm

Bronze Cupping Vessel from Egypt, ca. 300BCE-300CE. In the Science Museum, London, Object No. A608649. Image from www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Various types of surgical tools found at Pompeii. Currently in the Naples National Archaeological Museum. Photograph by Giorgio Sommer. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

"This marble plaque depicts a ‘parturition’, or birthing scene The depiction of successful births may have eased the fears of expectant mothers. The presence of female midwives is normal, as male doctors likely only would have attended wealthy or high status women. This plaque was excavated at Ostia, Italy. For more information, see this article from the Ostia Antica Archeological blog: http://www.ostia-antica.org/archnews.htm

Phaedra and Hippolytus, c. 290 CE Unknown - Jastrow (2006)
Front of a marble sarcophagus, ca. 290 CE. Found in 1853 on the Chiarone river banks (Tuscany, Italy), on the former Emilia-Aurelia road. From Wikimedia Commons.

Marble tombstone of an Athenian physician named Jason shown examining the enlarged abdomen of a child. To the right is an object that may be meant to represent a physician's cupping vessel. 2nd century CE. In The British Museum, Reg. No. 1865,0103.3.

Terracotta Body Parts, Votive offerings from the temple of Asclepius at Corinth. Visitors would pay for a terracotta votive of their affected body part, and bring it to be stored in the temple.

Classical Period, 5th century, Marble, from Athens, in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fletcher Fund, 1924; MMA 24.97.92.

"Relief in the form of a shrine, offering of Archinos to Amphiaraos (according to the inscription below the figures). On the left Amphiaraos, standing, is treating the r. shoulder of a young man. The latter is represented again, at the back, asleep on a bed, while the snake glides over his shoulder. On the edge a third scene: the dedication of a stele, with relief by Archinos to the shrine of the god. High in the centre of the cornice two apotropaic eyes. Found in the precint of Amphiaraos at Oropos. A splendid example of its kind, noteworthy for its representation of successive episodes." (Wellcome Image Database)

Stele depicting the god Asklepios with two goddesses. Late fifth century BCE. National Archaeological Museum, Athens (inv. no. 1346).

Τholos of Asklepios. Only the underground section is intact, with a diameter of 21.82 metres. Built with big square stones. Possibly used for the chthonic worship of Asclepius, associated with holy serpents of medicine.