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Diagonal earlobe creases, type A behavior and the death of Emperor Hadrian
The Western Journal of Medicine
|January 1, 1980
Insights
Emperor Hadrian likely died from heart failure due to high blood pressure and clogged arteries. Evidence includes his ear creases and descriptions of his stressful behavior pattern A.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Cardiology
- Paleopathology
Background:
- Classical texts propose Emperor Hadrian died of congestive heart failure, linked to hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis.
- This historical medical hypothesis can be investigated through various diagnostic avenues.
Discussion:
- Bilateral diagonal ear creases, a potential indicator of cardiovascular disease, are observed on multiple sculptures of Hadrian.
- Literary accounts describe Hadrian exhibiting behavior pattern A, characterized by competitiveness and impatience, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Key Insights:
- The convergence of anatomical markers (ear creases) and behavioral evidence (pattern A) supports the historical diagnosis of Hadrian's cause of death.
- This interdisciplinary approach offers a novel method for diagnosing historical figures.
Outlook:
- Further analysis of Roman busts could reveal additional physiological markers in historical figures.
- Exploring behavioral patterns in historical contexts may provide insights into the prevalence of stress-related conditions in antiquity.
Abstract:
Classical writings suggest that the Roman emperor Hadrian died from congestive heart failure resulting from hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis. This diagnosis is supported by the identification of bilateral diagonal ear creases on sculptures of several busts of Hadrian as well as literary evidence of behavior pattern A.