Rethinking the Concept of 'Healing Settlements': Water, Cults, Constructions and Contexts in the Ancient World

‘Rethinking the Concept of ‘Healing Settlements: Water,Cults,Constructions and Contexts in the Ancient World’ explores therapeutic aspects of thermomineral sites in Italy and the Roman Provinces, including exploitation, settlement patterns, and religious aspects related to health, fertility, and healing. The book highlights the current research on health and healing associated with cults and salutiferous waters in the Roman world.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 186 pages
\n Publication date: 31 January 2019
\n Publisher: Archaeopress
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‘Rethinking the Concept of ‘Healing Settlements: Water,Cults,Constructions and Contexts in the Ancient World brings together papers dealing with therapeutic aspects connected to thermomineral sites both in Italy and in the Roman Provinces, as well as cultic issues surrounding health and healing. The first part of the book consists of contributions that are focused on the numerous problems concerning the exploitation of curative springs and the settlement patterns at spa sites in terms of topography, infrastructure, architecture, cult, society and economy, emphasizing the particularities accompanying the use of beneficial sources and comparing them to that of common freshwaters. The papers in the second part of the volume concentrate on religious aspects connected to health, fertility and healing, focusing especially on sites located at particular natural surroundings such as caves and water sources. Together, the contributions in this book give us an idea of the amount and quality of research currently being undertaken in different parts of the Roman world (and complemented by one paper on the Greek world) on the topic of health and healing associated with cults and salutiferous waters.’
The book titled ‘Rethinking the Concept of ‘Healing Settlements: Water,Cults,Constructions and Contexts in the Ancient World’ is a comprehensive collection of papers that explore therapeutic aspects related to thermomineral sites in Italy and the Roman Provinces, as well as cultic issues surrounding health and healing. The first part of the book focuses on the challenges and complexities associated with the exploitation of curative springs and the settlement patterns at spa sites. It examines various aspects such as topography, infrastructure, architecture, cult, society, and economy, highlighting the unique characteristics associated with the use of beneficial sources and comparing them to common freshwaters. The contributions in this section shed light on the intricate processes involved in utilizing these natural resources and provide valuable insights into the social, cultural, and economic implications of spa settlements.

The second part of the book delves into religious aspects connected to health, fertility, and healing. It specifically focuses on sites located in natural surroundings, such as caves and water sources. The papers in this section examine the spiritual and religious beliefs associated with these locations and explore how they influenced the practices and rituals related to health and well-being. The authors analyze the symbolic meanings and significance of these sites, as well as the ways in which they were used as places of healing and pilgrimage.

Overall, ‘Rethinking the Concept of ‘Healing Settlements: Water,Cults,Constructions and Contexts in the Ancient World’ provides a valuable contribution to the field of ancient studies. It showcases the extensive research being undertaken on the topic of health and healing associated with cults and salutiferous waters in different parts of the Roman world. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic, religious, and cultural aspects of these settlements, shedding light on the complex interplay between water, religion, and society in the ancient world.

\n Weight: 670g\n
Dimension: 293 x 206 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781789690378\n \n