Body and Medicine in Ancient Rome

The concept of the human body and its affections is at the core of current debates in Classical scholarship. The development of such a concept is the result of multiple social, political and ethical factors, and their evolution throughout history. The course will explore that evolution as expressed through the ancient theories of the body, positioning them within the context of ancient life, literature and thought in 1st century BCE-1st century CE Rome. Seminars will explore the ways in which political and social factors influenced medical theories of the body, including gender systems, religious beliefs, and the political and social contexts within which medical issues were explored; the course will also, in turn, investigate how medical knowledge is propagated across various social classes and cultural contexts. Seminars will further be aimed at stimulating critical debate on broader questions about gender, identity, politics and ethics, while simultaneously challenging traditional assumptions about ancient cultural concepts.   Credit Level: 10 Year taken: Year 3 Undergraduates SCQF Credits: 20