Pergamul - reper al istoriei medicinei antice

Abstract

The city of Pergamon, an ancient city positioned in the north Aegean region of west Anatolia in the frontiers of ancient Mysia, continues to represent the symbol of Asia Minor’s and Aegean Sea’s history. The ruins are still sending precious information on Hellenistic and Roman civilisation and culture and witness the existence of two principal habitats Acropolis and Asklepeion since V th century BC (few information said VIII th century). The excavations on the acropolis between 1878-1886 with a team guided by the German engineers Carl Umann and Alexander Conze were done on behalf of the Berlin Museum and brought to light the Upper City. After that, the research was continued in three other stages supported by the Turkish and German governments, and the pieces found are being exhibited today in Berlin Pergamon Museum, Museum of Pergamon, Archaeological Museum of Istanbul and Paris Louvre Museum. Concerning medical activities and actions for people health during Roman and Hellenistic age Acropolis had in the Middle City a stadium (gymnasium) for young people and a public bath (in the same area with the Small Theatre, Temple of Hera, Temple of Demeter, Temple of Asklepios, public plaza, commercial plaza, houses of middle class, public fountain) and in the Lower City there was another stadium. Dedicated to the middle class of Pergam population, the constructions of Middle and Lower Cities show people's concern for health and hygiene of mind and body concretised in sports activities and physical training, competitions, relaxing, cleaning, bathing, all raised to ritual level in ancient medicine. Asklepeion was the most important centre of health and treatment, as well known as Epidauros and Kos from Greece, and remained in history as one of the three names of medical centres in the ancient world. The majority of the relics are from the first half of the 2nd century BC, proving that Asklepeion was a treatment and health promotion centre of antiquity. The priests were doctors and treated patients as well through meditation, inspiration, plant remedies as healing water, baths, mud baths, sports and movement therapy.