Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Hypothesis on the Achean disease]

C Urso1

  • 1Ospedale S. M. Annunziata, Antella, Firenze.

Pathologica
|May 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Homer's Iliad describes a deadly epidemic zoonosis affecting Achaeans. Analysis suggests this ancient disease was likely glanders, an infectious illness transmissible from animals to humans.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Calculated whole blood viscosity in non-diabetic subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis: How insulin resistance may affect blood viscosity.

Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation·2024
Same author

Leukocyte subtypes, gelatinases, and their tissue inhibitors in a group of subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.

Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation·2022
Same author

An assessment of the hemorheological profile in patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis divided in relation to the number of cardiovascular risk factors and different degrees of insulin resistance.

Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation·2021
Same author

The burden of cutaneous adnexal carcinomas and the risk of associated squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study.

The British journal of dermatology·2018
Same author

T regulatory cells mediate immunosuppresion by adenosine in peripheral blood, sentinel lymph node and TILs from melanoma patients.

Cancer letters·2018
Same author

Analysis of electrolyte abnormalities and the mechanisms leading to arrhythmias in heart failure. A literature review.

La Clinica terapeutica·2016
Same journal

Breast carcinoma metastasizing to an adrenocortical adenoma: a case of tumour-to-tumour metastasis.

Pathologica·2026
Same journal

Metastatic melanoma with heterologous bone after neoadjuvant immunotherapy: diagnostic insights.

Pathologica·2026
Same journal

Lymphangitic breast cancer in explanted lungs with interstitial lung disease: an unexpected finding.

Pathologica·2026
Same journal

Histological insights into sudden, unexpected death due to tuberculosis: two autopsy case reports and review of the literature.

Pathologica·2026
Same journal

Teaching with human remains: curatorship, technological innovation and ethical engagement at the Morgagni Museum of Human Anatomy.

Pathologica·2026
Same journal

Technical feasibility of a long read, fourth generation sequencing platform in diagnostic profiling of clinical routine samples: a proof-of-concept study.

Pathologica·2026
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Ancient History
  • Epidemiology
  • Veterinary Medicine

Background:

  • Analysis of the first book of Homer's Iliad to understand a described mortal illness.
  • Application of modern medical knowledge to interpret historical medical descriptions.

Discussion:

  • The described illness was a severe, acute epidemic zoonosis with rapid mortality.
  • The disease affected animals (mules, dogs) before spreading to humans, indicating zoonotic transmission.
  • Rapid spread and high death toll suggest a highly contagious agent.

Key Insights:

  • The Achaean disease profile aligns with glanders, an infectious disease primarily affecting equids.
  • Glanders is transmissible to humans through contact with infected animals, fitting the Iliad's description.

Related Experiment Videos

  • This hypothesis provides a potential medical identification for the epidemic in the Iliad.

    • Outlook:

    • Further research could explore other ancient texts for similar disease descriptions.
    • Comparative analysis with modern zoonotic outbreaks may offer insights into historical epidemics.
    • Understanding historical zoonoses contributes to the broader study of infectious disease evolution.