Concerns over health and illness are universal, but every society, whether historical or contemporary, will define the notions of health and illness differently. This module concentrates on the Greek and Roman world from the fifth century BCE to the sixth century CE, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of Greek and Roman societies more generally. Indeed, no medical qualifications existed in the Greek and Roman world; anyone could become a healer. In such an environment, it was crucial for any head of household to know some medicine in order to gain the best treatment for his family. Through medical sources, we will explore important issues such as how the ancients conceived of their bodies, their identities (including gender identities), and their place in society and, more generally, in the physical world. A wealth of literary, epigraphic, papyrological, and visual sources are drawn upon to address the relevance of ancient medicine to social, economic, cultural, and even political history. This module will be taught in an interactive manner, with a high level of participation expected.

• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of the literary and material sources relevant to the study of Greek and Roman medicine.
• relate trends in Greek and Roman medicine to the social, political and economic context of the period.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of different approaches to the study of ancient medicine.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern debates relevant to ancient medicine, and an ability to evaluate the evidence with reference to these debates.
• demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between textual and material evidence.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

10 2-hour teaching sessions; 2 1-hour practical workshops; 1 field trip to a museum collection relating to ancient medicine; independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial; 1 revision session

The teaching sessions offer a combination of traditional lecturing, class discussions, and other exercises. Lectures present an outline of the evidence for Greek and Roman medicine, and provide a framework for the interpretation of that evidence by introducing the major approaches and debates that have shaped research into the subject. Slides and, where appropriate, handouts are used to illustrate the material discussed.

These lectures are a useful starting point for further discussion and exercises taking place during the teaching sessions. This provides an opportunity for students to analyse and discuss key issues and topics in the module, and to get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Handouts with material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the sessions.

The practical workshops allow the students to explore some technical aspects of ancient medicine in a very practical manner, through re-creation and re-enactment. Handouts with suggestions for preparation will be circulated prior to the workshops.

The field trip to visit a museum collection allows students to observe material evidence for the study of ancient medicine in a museum setting.

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes and lecture topics.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• analysis of a variety of different types of historical evidence, such as literary texts and material evidence
• observation and visual analysis
• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• using social media effectively for research and dissemination of knowledge
• enterprise skills in the choice of topics to be discussed in the blog post
• independent working and time management
• bibliographic and referencing skills

The module will be assessed through a blog post (750–1000 words), accompanied by a reflective commentary (maximum 300 words) (50%), and an exam consisting of one essay question and one source analysis exercise, weighted 70:30 (50%).

For the blog post, students will be required to discuss briefly (in less than 1000 words) an aspect of ancient medicine of their choice or a series of sources relating to ancient medicine. Suggestions will be made as to possible areas of discussion, but students will be encouraged to display enterprise. Examples of excellent academic blogs will be provided as inspiration. Students will accompany their blog post with illustrations, a snappy title, keywords, and a short reflective commentary (maximum 300 words) on the process.

The exam will consist of one essay question and one source analysis exercise. The essay question will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and critical understanding of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to aspects of Greek and Roman medicine. In the source analysis exercise, specific written or material sources relating to Greek and/or Roman medicine will be set, and students will be required to explain the medical theories and/or practices expounded in these sources, as well as how these theories and/or practices inform us about Greek and/or Roman societies.

Type of assessment = CW

% Contribution = 50

Title = Coursework - blog post

Duration = 
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = spring semester

Type of assessment = EXSP

% Contribution = 50

Title = Greek and Roman Medicine

Duration = 1.5 hours
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = spring semester

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students who fail the module will normally be expected to resit the failed component(s) in the summer resit period.

• the Hippocratic Corpus
• medicine in the Hellenistic kingdoms
• medicine in the time of Galen
• medicine in the early Byzantine period
• medicine in Roman Britain
• ancient pharmacology and dietetics
• ancient surgery
• ancient gynaecology and obstetrics
• ancient medicine and religion
• ancient veterinary medicine
• disability in the ancient world

L.I. Conrad et al., The Western Medical Tradition 800 BC–AD 1800 (1995), sections on ancient medicine by V. Nutton

R. Jackson, Doctors and Diseases in the Roman Empire (1988)

H. King, Hippocrates’ Woman: Reading the Female Body in Ancient Greece (1998)

H. King, Greek and Roman Medicine (2001)

G.E.R. Lloyd, In the Grip of Disease: Studies in the Greek Imagination (2003)

J. Longrigg, Greek Medicine from the Heroic to the Hellenistic Age: A Source Book (1998)

V. Nutton, Ancient Medicine (second edition, 2012)

See the module handout for the full reading list.