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[The "Limophōros": Polybius III, 87, 2]

E Foulon

    Revue Des Etudes Grecques
    |January 1, 1997
    PubMed

    Insights

    The ancient Greek term "limophōros" in Polybius' Histories refers to scabies, not scurvy. This term was likely coined by Polybius to describe a disease whose origins he did not understand.

    Area of Science:

    • Classical Studies
    • Ancient Medicine
    • Linguistic Analysis

    Background:

    • The term "limophōros" is a hapax legomenon found in Polybius' Histories.
    • Polybius used this term to describe an illness he attributed to nutritional deficiency.

    Discussion:

    • This analysis argues that "limophōros" accurately describes scabies, not scurvy.
    • The etiological understanding of diseases in ancient Greece was limited, leading to potential misinterpretations.

    Key Insights:

    • The word "limophōros" denotes scabies, a parasitic skin infestation.
    • Polybius's description reflects a lack of understanding regarding the true cause of the illness.

    Outlook:

    • Further linguistic and historical research can clarify ancient medical terminology.
    • Re-evaluating classical texts through modern medical knowledge offers new insights into historical disease descriptions.

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