A History of the Mind and Mental Health in Classical Greek Medical Thought

The first substantial history of psychological thought in Classical Greek medicine, showing the relevance of ancient ideas to modern debates.

Chiara Thumiger (Author)

9781107176010, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 June 2017

510 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 3 cm, 0.84 kg

'This book makes an important contribution to the study of mental disorder in antiquity. Thumiger's thorough survey of relevant material offers an invaluable resource for the researcher, and her historiographical introduction is outstanding in its detail and clarity. The methodological remarks in the opening chapter offer a careful account of the role of medical anthropology in the history of medicine in antiquity. There is little doubt that this book will become a standard in the study of mental disorder in ancient medical and non-medical texts.' Jessica Wright, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

The Hippocratic texts and other contemporary medical sources have often been overlooked in discussions of ancient psychology. They have been considered to be more mechanical and less detailed than poetic and philosophical representations, as well as later medical texts such as those of Galen. This book does justice to these early medical accounts by demonstrating their richness and sophistication, their many connections with other contemporary cultural products and the indebtedness of later medicine to their observations. In addition, it reads these sources not only as archaeological documents but also in the light of methodological discussions that are fundamental to the histories of psychiatry and psychology. As a result of this approach, the book will be important for scholars of these disciplines as well as those of Greek literature and philosophy, strongly advocating the relevance of ancient ideas to modern debates.

Introduction
1. Mental disorder and history: methodological and general issues
Part I. The Body of the Insane: 2. The body perceived
3. The vital functions and mental life: sleep, food and drink, sex, death
Part II. The Mind of the Insane: 4. Sensory perception and its impairment
5. Personality and personal psychology: emotions, character, reasoning
Conclusions
Appendix: dates and dating.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX], Psychiatry [MMH], History of medicine [MBX], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]