Ancient Babylonian Medicine: Theory and Practice (Ancient Cultures)

236 Pages·2010·2.57 MB·English

by  Markham J. Geller

Markham J. Geller
Ancient
Babylonian
Medicine
Theory and Practice
A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication
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Ancient
Babylonian
Medicine
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Ancient Cultures
These enjoyable, straightforward surveys of key themes in ancient culture
are ideal for anyone new to the study of the ancient world. Each book
reveals the excitement of discovering the diverse lifestyles, ideals, and
beliefs of ancient peoples.
Published
Ancient Babylonian Medicine
Markham J. Geller
The Spartans
Nigel Kennell
Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World
Donald G. Kyle
Food in the Ancient World
John M. Wilkins and Shaun Hill
Greek Political Thought
Ryan K. Balot
Sexuality in Greek and Roman Culture
Marilyn B. Skinner
Theories of Mythology
Eric Csapo
In preparation
Science in the Ancient World
Daryn Lehoux
Ethnicity and Identity in the Ancient World
Kathryn Lomas
Roman Law and Society
Thomas McGinn
Economies of the Greek and Roman World
Jeremy Paterson
Economies of the Greco-Roman World
Gary Reger
The City of Rome
John Patterson
Family in Greek and Roman Culture
Emma Griffiths and Tim Parkin
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Markham J. Geller
Ancient
Babylonian
Medicine
Theory and Practice
A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication
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This edition first published 2010
© 2010 Markham J. Geller
Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Geller, Markham J.
Ancient Babylonian medicine : theory and practice / Markham J. Geller.
v. cm. – (Ancient cultures)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents: Introduction to Babylonian medicine and magic – Medicine as science – Who did
what to whom? – The politics of medicine – Medicine as literature – Medicine and philosophy –
Medical training : MD or PhD? – Uruk medical commentaries – Medicine and magic as
independent approaches to healing – Appendix: An edition of a medical commentary.
ISBN 978-1-4051-2652-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Medicine, Assyro-Babylonian.
2. Medicine, Assyro-Babylonian–Philosophy. 3. Medicine, Assyro-Babylonian–
Methodology. 4. Magic, Assyro-Babylonian. I. Title.
R135.3.G44 2010
610.938–dc22
2009046375
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Set in 10/12.5pt Rotation by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India
Printed in Malaysia
I 2010
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To Florentina
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Contents
List of Illustrations viii
List of Abbreviations x
Acknowledgments xii
Introduction to Babylonian Medicine and Magic 1
1 Medicine as Science 11
2 Who Did What to Whom? 43
3 The Politics of Medicine 56
4 Medicine as Literature 89
5 Medicine and Philosophy 118
6 Medical Training: MD or PhD? 130
7 Uruk Medical Commentaries 141
8 Medicine and Magic as Independent Approaches to Healing 161
Appendix: An Edition of a Medical Commentary 168
Notes 177
References 202
Subject Index 211
Selective Index of Akkadian and Greek Words 217
Index of Akkadian Personal Names 220
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