Greek Medicine: From the Heroic to the Hellenistic Age A Source Book [Paperback]

James Longrigg (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0415920876 | ISBN-13: 978-0415920872

The Greeks were the first to use rational systems of medicine, based upon belief in natural causation, rather than magical and religious elements, which resulted in a new conception of disease, accounting for causes and symptoms of illness. "Greek Medicine" places ancient Greek medicine, from Homer to the Alexandrians, within its historical and intellectual context by presenting a selection of source material in translation.
The book provides a chronological account on the most important aspects of ancient medicine, and includes chapters on specific areas of medicine, such as gynecology, dietetics, pharmacology and surgery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...Longriggs decades of scholarly research are apparent in his commentaries and synopses, for he has mastered all the sources.
–Isis

An important source book not only for specialists but for anyone desiring an overview of medical issues reflected in Greek medical texts and literature from Homer to the Alexandrians. The chpater divisions reflect the extant themes of the ancient medical treatises, especially those attributed to Hippocratic authors, such as physiology, regimen, surgery, gynecology and anatomy. There is a very useful glossary of terms included in an appendix. This text will be a great adjunct to readings of the Hippocratic texts.
–Religious Studies Review

About the Author

James Longrigg is Reader in Ancient Philosophy and Science at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is author of Greek Rational Medicine (Routledge 1993).

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (March 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415920876
• ISBN-13: 978-0415920872
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars displays the rationality of ancient Greek medicine, June 16, 2000

By 

F. C. Philips (Nashville, Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Greek Medicine: From the Heroic to the Hellenistic Age A Source Book (Paperback)

This collection of sources, together with careful analyses of the evidence presented, well reveals the world's first systems for medicine as a rational science for healing and health. There is a wide-ranging collection of sources displaying something of the breadth of knowledge of Greek physicians, especially during the classical and Hellenistic periods, as physicians discovered that divine causation was an ineffective method for understanding illness. The study is based chronologically, with chapters devoted to specific topics such as gynecology, surgery, medical ethics, professional behavior, and dietetics. I recommend it highly.