The Cult of Asclepios

Asclepious was the Greek God of healing. Worshippers built large temple complexes around Greece in his name. Throughout the period, and into the era of the Roman Empire, people would visit these temples to be healed.

The Cult of Asclepious, which developed older ideas based on religious healing and introduced many more forms of 'alternative' treatment, was at it's peak from the Fifth century BC through to as late as 400AD.

At a Asclepion (one of the temples) a patient would be expected to partake in a number of rituals, which, it was believed, would cure the infirm. In brief these rituals consisted of:

Making sacrifices
Bathing
Sleeping in the courtyard

It is widely believed that the priests would have healed many visitors to Asclepion's through the use of ointments and herbal remedies, a theory that is borne out through a logical examination of some of the available source material. (See Activities section)

Ancient Greece Section - pages in this unit

Unit home page - Hippocrates: Background - Hippocrates: Theory of the Four Humors - The Cult of Asclepious - The City of A lexandria - Public Health in Ancient Greece - Activities - External Links

	Greek and Roman Medicine The second book in the History of Medicine series. This book is an ideal resource for students following the Medicine Through Time course at GCSE level. The book provides a clear understanding of the key ideas that formed medical practice throughout the Ancient and medieval worlds, making the content 'must know' material. Brilliantly summarised and supported by a wide range of images.

Textbooks	Revision Guides

In this unit:

Recommended Resources

Medicinethroughtime.co.uk - new site. Including Blog and use of twitter for free text / IM revision tips.

SchoolsHistory.org.uk highly recommends these sites:

Schoolhistory.co.uk - fantastic range of interactive games, revision materials and links.
ActiveHistory.co.uk - outstanding use of ICT to engage pupils.
Thinkinghistory.co.uk - a brilliant range of learning activities from Ian Dawson
JohnDClare.net - simply the best for Modern World GCSE students
History.org.uk - resources and CPD materials from the Historical Association.
Historyboxes.com - make your lessons 'real' with artefacts and living history provided by experts
Schoolshistory.com - same author as this site, just put together in a slightly different way!