Healing, Disease and Placebo in Graeco-Roman Asclepius Temples: A Neurocognitive Approach

The Healing,Disease, and Placebo in Graeco-Roman Asclepius Temples study explores the placebo effect and the role it may have played in healing at the Asclepius sanctuaries in light of contemporary theories and neurocognitive research. It is the first historical study of the Asclepius cult, integrating theoretical insights into the human mind provided by neurocognitive sciences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd

The Healing, Disease, and Placebo in Graeco-Roman Asclepius Temples explores a captivating tale of religious healing that unfolded within sanctuaries dedicated to the ancient Greek god Asclepius, known as asclepieia. The Asclepius cult, which drew supplicants afflicted by diverse illnesses, emerged in Greece during the sixth century BCE, flourished during the Hellenistic era, and eventually spread throughout the Graeco-Roman world, although it experienced a decline during the final dominance of Christianity in the fifth century CE. This study delves into inscriptions from the asclepieia, believed to contain personal accounts of healing, utilizing archaeological and historical evidence to examine the placebo effect and its potential role in healing at the Asclepius sanctuaries. By integrating theoretical insights from neurocognitive sciences, this study offers a novel perspective on the human mind and aims to enhance our understanding of past minds and, more broadly, human cognition. It can be regarded as a cognitive historiography of patients who visited the asclepieia as supplicants, seeking relief from their ailments. Through its comprehensive analysis, this study sheds light on the intricate biological, cognitive, and psychological processes that shaped personal healing experiences, as well as the external cultural and social factors that influenced these experiences. By exploring the Asclepius cult in this historical context, it provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between religion, medicine, and the human mind, contributing to our broader understanding of the ancient world and human behavior.

Weight: 4078g
ISBN-13: 9781800501416