Aetius of Amida on Diseases of the Brain: Translation and Commentary of >Libri medicinales< 6.1–10 with Introduction (Issn)

In earlier scholarship, the late antique medical compilations of Oribasius of Pergamon, Aetius of Amida and Paul of Aegina were rather neglected and were believed to add nothing new themselves to what Galen, in particular, had to say. By now, scholarship has undergone a positive change in attitude towards these authors and their works. This book contributes to this modern picture of late antiquity as a vibrant and fascinating period through close analysis of the work of Aetius of Amida (6th century CE). It offers the very first modern translation of chapters 1–10 of the sixth book of Aetius’ __Libri medicinales__ as well as a detailed commentary on these chapters. Together with an extensive introduction it thus makes Aetius’ treatise accessible to a wider audience and takes into account Aetius’ craft as a compiler by analyzing his literary and compilation techniques. Book 6 of Aetius’ compilation is especially interesting because it deals with diseases of the brain and thus also discusses mental illnesses such as __phrenitis__, __melancholia__ or __mania__. Therefore, this volume also sheds light on the treatment of brain diseases in late antiquity and furthers our understanding of the history of mental disorders in ancient medical texts. "In earlier scholarship, the late antique medical compilations of Oribasius of Pergamon, Aetius of Amida and Paul of Aegina were rather neglected and were believed to add nothing new themselves to what Galen, in particular, had to say. By now, scholarship has undergone a positive change in attitude towards these authors and their works. This book contributes to this modern picture of late antiquity as a vibrant and fascinating period through close analysis of the work of Aetius of Amida (6th century CE). It offers the very first modern translation of chapters 1–10 of the sixth book of Aetius’ Libri medicinales as well as a detailed commentary on these chapters. Together with an extensive introduction it thus makes Aetius’ treatise accessible to a wider audience and takes into account Aetius’ craft as a compiler by analyzing his literary and compilation techniques. Book 6 of Aetius’ compilation is especially interesting because it deals with diseases of the brain and thus also discusses mental illnesses such as phrenitis, melancholia or mania. Therefore, this volume also sheds light on the treatment of brain diseases in late antiquity and furthers our understanding of the history of mental disorders in ancient medical texts." -- Sommario fornito dall'editore In earlier scholarship, the late antique medical compilations of Oribasius of Pergamon, Aetius of Amida and Paul of Aegina were rather neglected and were believed to add nothing new themselves to what Galen, in particular, had to say. By now, scholarship has undergone a positive change in attitude towards these authors and their works. This book contributes to this modern picture of late antiquity as a vibrant and fascinating period through close analysis of the work of Aetius of Amida (6th century CE). It offers the very first modern translation of chapters 1-10 of the sixth book of Aetius' Libri medicinales as well as a detailed commentary on these chapters. Together with an extensive introduction it thus makes Aetius' treatise accessible to a wider audience and takes into account Aetius' craft as a compiler by analyzing his literary and compilation techniques. Book 6 of Aetius' compilation is especially interesting because it deals with diseases of the brain and thus also discusses mental illnesses such as phrenitis, melancholia or mania. Therefore, this volume also sheds light on the treatment of brain diseases in late antiquity and furthers our understanding of the history of mental disorders in ancient medical texts.--provided by publisher

In earlier scholarship, the late antique medical compilations of Oribasius of Pergamon, Aetius of Amida and Paul of Aegina were rather neglected and were believed to add nothing new themselves to what Galen, in particular, had to say. By now, scholarship has undergone a positive change in attitude towards these authors and their works. This book contributes to this modern picture of late antiquity as a vibrant and fascinating period through close analysis of the work of Aetius of Amida (6th century CE). It offers the very first modern translation of chapters 1–10 of the sixth book of Aetius' Libri medicinales as well as a detailed commentary on these chapters. Together with an extensive introduction it thus makes Aetius' treatise accessible to a wider audience and takes into account Aetius' craft as a compiler by analyzing his literary and compilation techniques. Book 6 of Aetius' compilation is especially interesting because it deals with diseases of the brain and thus also discusses mental illnesses such as phrenitis, melancholia or mania. Therefore, this volume also sheds light on the treatment of brain diseases in late antiquity and furthers our understanding of the history of mental disorders in ancient medical texts.

Table of contents 7 Acknowledgements 9 How to use this book 13 General introduction 15 1 The aim and structure of this study 15 2 Medicine in late antiquity 16 3 Aetius of Amida 21 4 Diseases of the brain and mental illness 53 Olivieri’s text and my translation 85 List of changes to Olivieri’s edition 85 Commentary 146 VI 1 On hydrokephaloi from Leonides 146 VI 2 On phrenitis from (the books of) Posidonius 171 VI 3 On lethargia from (the books of) Archigenes and Posidonius 208 VI 4 On katalepsis from (the books of) Archigenes and Posidonius 255 VI 5 On karos from Posidonius 280 VI 6 On koma from (the books of) Posidonius 290 VI 7 On those who suffer from skotoma (from the books of) Archigenes and Posidonius 303 VI 8 On mania from (the books of) Archigenes and Posidonius 349 VI 9 On melancholia from (the books of) Galen and Rufus and Posidonius 417 VI 10 Therapy of those who suffer from melancholia 472 Bibliography 506 Indices 535 1 Index of Olivieri’s Greek text 535 2 Index of the translation 555 3 Index of passages cited 579 4 Index of the commentary 621 STMAC aims to advance an inter-disciplinary and inclusive approach to the study of science in the ancient world, ranging from mathematics and physics, medicine and magic to astronomy, astrology, and divination and covering the Mediterranean world, the Near (Middle) East, and Central and East Asia. The series is open to different types of publications including monographs and edited volumes as well as text editions and commentaries