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Heracles and epilepsy: the sacred disease.
Eduardo Orrego-GonzÁlez1, Ana Peralta-GarcÍa1, Leonardo Palacios-SÁnchez1
1Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Neuroscience Research Group NEUROS, Bogotá, Colombia.
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|October 28, 2020
Summary
Ancient Greeks called epilepsy the "Sacred Disease." This review explores the myth of Heracles and Hippocrates' writings, connecting ancient beliefs about epilepsy to modern understanding.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- History of Medicine
- Medical Mythology
Background:
- Epilepsy, historically termed the 'Sacred Disease,' carries significant cultural and mythological weight.
- Ancient Greek mythology, particularly the figure of Heracles, contributed to the divine connotations surrounding epilepsy.
- Hippocrates' seminal work, the 'Corpus Hippocraticum,' offered early medical descriptions of the condition, challenging supernatural explanations.
Observation:
- This paper examines the intersection of epilepsy myths and historical medical texts.
- It analyzes publications concerning the myth of Heracles and Hippocrates' descriptions of the 'Sacred Disease.'
Findings:
- The review connects ancient perceptions of epilepsy with contemporary neurological knowledge.
- It highlights the evolution of understanding epilepsy from a divine affliction to a medical condition.
Implications:
- Understanding historical perspectives on epilepsy provides context for current medical and societal views.
- This research bridges mythological narratives and scientific understanding of neurological disorders.
- It underscores the importance of historical analysis in comprehending the long-term study of diseases.
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