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https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.suppl.33.2021.316-329
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Poisoning, Ergotism, Mass Psychosis: Writing a History of Ancient Epidemics Beyond Infectious Diseases
Vergiftung, Ergotismus und Massenpsychose: Antike Seuchengeschichte jenseits von Infektionskrankheiten
[journal article]
Abstract For the last 100 years, the modern concept of epidemics as contagious diseases caused by pathogenic agents or microorganisms entering the body has not only dominated present
thinking about epidemics but highly influenced historiographical study of past disease as well. In the case of Greek and Rom... view more
For the last 100 years, the modern concept of epidemics as contagious diseases caused by pathogenic agents or microorganisms entering the body has not only dominated present
thinking about epidemics but highly influenced historiographical study of past disease as well. In the case of Greek and Roman antiquity, this led to extensive and thorough scholarly work on epidemics fitting the pattern of infectious diseases while incompatible cases were put aside notwithstanding that by ancient definition they were epidemics of the same quality: illness that affects many individuals of the same community at the same time. This includes cases retrospectively explained as mass poisoning, ergotism, and mass hysteria. This article discusses the methodological problem of disparate definitions of modern and ancient epidemics and argues for broadening the source base in the study of ancient epidemics to include accounts of diseases that do not fit into the modern mould of infectious disease. To demonstrate the benefit of this suggestion, two disregarded later ancient epidemics drawn from relatively unknown patristic sources are introduced, which have been explained as fungal poisoning, ergotism, or mass psychosis in the past.... view less
Keywords
antiquity; medicine; epidemic; contagious disease
Classification
Social History, Historical Social Research
Free Keywords
disease etiology; John of Ephesus; Victor of Tunnuna; COVID-19
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 316-329
Journal
Historical Social Research, Supplement (2021) 33
Issue topic
Epidemics and Pandemics - the Historical Perspective
ISSN
0936-6784
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed