Disability and Healing in Greek and Roman Myth

by: Laes, C.

Disability and Healing in Greek and Roman Myth

Part of Elements in Greek and Roman Mythology

Author: Christian Laes, University of Manchester

Disability and Healing in Greek and Roman Myth takes its readers to stories, in versions known and often unknown. Disabilities and diseases are dealt with from head to toe: from mental disorder, over impairment of vision, hearing and speaking, to mobility problems and wider issues that pertain to the whole body. This Element places the stories in context, with due attention to close reading, and pays careful attention to concepts and terminology regarding disability. It sets Graeco-Roman mythology in the wider context of the ancient world, including Christianity. One of the focuses is the people behind the stories and their 'lived' religion. It also encourages its readers to 'live' their ancient mythology.

Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Setting the scene: disabilities, myths, and religion
2. Disabled gods and heroes 'from head to toe
3. Other 'oddities': monsters, twins, dwarfs and old age
4. Purity and wholesomeness for priests and cultic servants?
5. The role of Christianity and monotheism
6. Conclusion: disability as anachronism or analogy?
References.

Disability and Healing in Greek and Roman Myth

by: Laes, C.

• ISBN-13: 9781009335539 / 978-1-009-33553-9
• ISBN-03: 1009335537 / 1-00-933553-7
• Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2024