Embodying the Soul: Medicine and Religion in Carolingian Europe

Embodying the Soul examines the ninth-century Carolingian Empire's efforts to define Christian orthodoxy and the value of Hippocratic knowledge, which resulted in medical knowledge being classified as a sacred art. It also highlights the physician's role, the popularity of preventative regimens, and the theological importance attached to dietary regulation and bloodletting.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2022
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Embodying the Soul delves into the intricate tapestry of human intervention in the realm of health within the expansive ninth-century Carolingian Empire. Long regarded as a superstitious and primitive offshoot of the rational and sophisticated Greco-Roman medical tradition, early medieval medicine emerges as a vibrant and dynamic field of inquiry, as argued by Meg Leja. Central to this reevaluation is the profound debate that unfolded among Carolingian scholars concerning the significance of Hippocratic knowledge. This debate, intricately woven with the efforts to define Christian orthodoxy, played a pivotal role in shaping the reforms initiated by Charlemagne and his successors.

From a once pagan-influenced subject shrouded in suspicion and rumored connections to magic, medical knowledge gradually evolved into a revered and sacred art. This transformation coincided with a growing belief that the body and soul, the two essential components of individual identity, could cultivate virtue through harmonious collaboration rather than conflict. The book serves as a testament to this transformative journey, unveiling new discussions that challenged the legitimacy of medical learning and advocated for the pursuit of good health. These discussions fostered a self-governance style that left an indelible mark on medieval conceptions of individual responsibility.

The chapters within Embodying the Soul address a range of thought-provoking questions, including the material occupation of the soul within the body, the spiritual significance of illness, and the challenges inherent in diagnosing the ailments of the internal bodily cavity. By dismantling the silence surrounding dark-age medicine, the book uncovers fresh perspectives on the physician's role, the popularity of preventative regimens, and the theological importance attached to dietary regulation and bloodletting. In presenting a comprehensive cultural history of the body, the book draws upon a diverse array of evidence, including theological and pastoral treatises, monastic rules, court poetry, capitularies, hagiographies, biographies, and biblical exegesis.

Most importantly, Embodying the Soul offers a profound exploration of the human body's relationship with the divine, shedding light on the complex interplay between faith, medicine, and the pursuit of wholeness. Through its meticulous scholarship and engaging narrative, the book invites readers to reimagine the historical significance of early medieval medicine and its profound impact on the development of medieval society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812253894