Medieval History
Unlike the west, Byzantium inherited a multitude of medical schools from its ancient past. It was able to draw on these, in particular the prognostications of Hippocrates and the analytical and philosophical skills of Galen and to develop a highly sophisticated medical system, capable of identifying and dealing with many diseases that were only rediscovered in the later part of the millennium.
The basis of Byzantine medical theory was two-pronged. The first took inspiration from the neo-Platonist philosophers of the Hellenistic era and the writings of Saint Athanasius, celebrating the immortality and purity of the soul while understanding that the nature of the body is weak and corruptible.
Thus much emphasis was placed upon spiritual as well as physical healing, the maxim healthy mind in a healthy body being much valued. The theological basis behind physical healing, was that man had been created in God's image. The human body belonged to God and had to be properly looked after. Byzantine theory also provided an explanation for the origin of sickness. Adam and Eve's disobedience in Eden had brought disease and death into the world.
Byzantium also had an ultimate role model, of greater standing than Asclepius or Hippocrates of the Ancients. Christ, the Son of God healed the sick and exhorted his apostles and disciples to give proofs of His own divine powers by acts of healing. Some thirty five miracles are recorded in the Bible and the apostles exercises healing as a 'gift of the holy spirit.' As a result, a plethora of icons and miraculous relics proliferated throughout the Empire.
Click here to read part 1 from Neoskosmos.com
Click here to read part 2 from Neoskosmos.com
- What's So Interesting About Anglo-saxon Medicine?
Conan Doyle writes: Given that this is the topic to which I have dedicated the last five years of my life, I may be giving something of a biased view, but to be honest I cannot think of a more fascinating facet of Anglo-Saxon society. The most sophisticated...
- New Book Examines The Role Of Arab Doctors In The History Of Medieval Medicine
Professor Peter E Pormann from The University of Manchester says too few people realise European and Arab doctors were part of the same medical tradition which played a pivotal role in the development of medicine as we know it. ?Arabic was the scientific...
- Miracle Cures From The Age Of Hippocrates
From simple syrups, eye drops, balms and pills to suppositories combining a multitude of ingredients, pharmaceutics has been a precision science since antiquity. Used through the ages to cure a vast variety of ailments and diseases, pharmaceutics has...
- Byzantium, Its Neighbours And Its Cultures: Diversity And Interaction Australian Association For Byzantine Studies Xviith Biennial Conference
BYZANTIUM, ITS NEIGHBOURS AND ITS CULTURES: DIVERSITY AND INTERACTION AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION FOR BYZANTINE STUDIES XVIITH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE http://home.vicnet.net.au/~byzaus/conferences/17th2012/ 20-21 July 2012, Macquarie University, New South Wales,...
- The Thirty-fifth Annual Byzantine Studies Conference
THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL BYZANTINE STUDIES CONFERENCE ***LAST CALL FOR PAPERS*** Deadline for abstracts: Friday, April 20, 2009 The 35th Annual Byzantine Studies Conference (BSC) will be held at Florida State University's Sarasota campus, including...
Medieval History
Medicine in the Byzantine Empire
The basis of Byzantine medical theory was two-pronged. The first took inspiration from the neo-Platonist philosophers of the Hellenistic era and the writings of Saint Athanasius, celebrating the immortality and purity of the soul while understanding that the nature of the body is weak and corruptible.
Thus much emphasis was placed upon spiritual as well as physical healing, the maxim healthy mind in a healthy body being much valued. The theological basis behind physical healing, was that man had been created in God's image. The human body belonged to God and had to be properly looked after. Byzantine theory also provided an explanation for the origin of sickness. Adam and Eve's disobedience in Eden had brought disease and death into the world.
Byzantium also had an ultimate role model, of greater standing than Asclepius or Hippocrates of the Ancients. Christ, the Son of God healed the sick and exhorted his apostles and disciples to give proofs of His own divine powers by acts of healing. Some thirty five miracles are recorded in the Bible and the apostles exercises healing as a 'gift of the holy spirit.' As a result, a plethora of icons and miraculous relics proliferated throughout the Empire.
Click here to read part 1 from Neoskosmos.com
Click here to read part 2 from Neoskosmos.com
- What's So Interesting About Anglo-saxon Medicine?
Conan Doyle writes: Given that this is the topic to which I have dedicated the last five years of my life, I may be giving something of a biased view, but to be honest I cannot think of a more fascinating facet of Anglo-Saxon society. The most sophisticated...
- New Book Examines The Role Of Arab Doctors In The History Of Medieval Medicine
Professor Peter E Pormann from The University of Manchester says too few people realise European and Arab doctors were part of the same medical tradition which played a pivotal role in the development of medicine as we know it. ?Arabic was the scientific...
- Miracle Cures From The Age Of Hippocrates
From simple syrups, eye drops, balms and pills to suppositories combining a multitude of ingredients, pharmaceutics has been a precision science since antiquity. Used through the ages to cure a vast variety of ailments and diseases, pharmaceutics has...
- Byzantium, Its Neighbours And Its Cultures: Diversity And Interaction Australian Association For Byzantine Studies Xviith Biennial Conference
BYZANTIUM, ITS NEIGHBOURS AND ITS CULTURES: DIVERSITY AND INTERACTION AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION FOR BYZANTINE STUDIES XVIITH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE http://home.vicnet.net.au/~byzaus/conferences/17th2012/ 20-21 July 2012, Macquarie University, New South Wales,...
- The Thirty-fifth Annual Byzantine Studies Conference
THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL BYZANTINE STUDIES CONFERENCE ***LAST CALL FOR PAPERS*** Deadline for abstracts: Friday, April 20, 2009 The 35th Annual Byzantine Studies Conference (BSC) will be held at Florida State University's Sarasota campus, including...