Lecture

Words, Sounds, and Objects in Greco-Roman Medical Magic

Date
18:00
Location
Topoi Building Dahlem, Hittorfstraße 18, 14195 Berlin
Organizer
Topoi
Lecturing Person
Prof. Dr. Heinrich von Staden, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA

When comparing Greek and Babylonian medicine, the role of magic or mageia in general within healing contexts is one of the crucial problems. How can we re-assess our perception of the ‘magical’ component in Greek medicine in relation to that of its neighbours? Is magic to be disclaimed as ‘superstition’, as the readings of classical authors might suggest?