Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World
Brown University
Box 1837 / 60 George Street
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: (401) 863-3188
Fax: (401) 863-9423 [email protected]
Discussion Questions
“For the phenomenon of hot or healing waters emerging form the depths of the earth must always have inspired a sense of wonder at the awesome powers of the gods” (Jackson 7). In light of last week’s mention of water, in what ways were people fixated on water in the classical world? The relationship between the military and the spas/water is an interesting example. (Sam)
What do you make of Gesler’s four environments - natural, built, symbolic, and social (table on page 8)? Are there others? In what way to the aspects correspond? Classify Epidauros and Bath. (Sam)
According to Talbot, the majority of pilgrims traveled short distances to shrines. However, a few did make long journeys, one account included a monk who covered about 550 miles. In what ways do you think the pilgrimage affects the healing process? (Sam)
Gessler introduces the biophilia hypothesis in the book, which states that we as humans have an innate affinity for the natural world. Do you believe that this may be why so many find nature as a place of healing, comfort, and way to “get away from it all?” (8) (Jess)
Gessler writes about the humanistic approach to healthcare, which incorporates an environment with a form of “care that enhances the dignity and autonomy of patients and professionals alike” (Gessler, 5). Does living in such a fast paced society, like we do, allow for the humanistic approach to work in an average hospital? Could this be the reason why many seek alternative medical practices, such as a visit to Epidauros, Greece or the Baths? (Jess)
The past few discussions had concepts that revolved around the necessity to be present at a place of healing in order to completely benefit from the experience, however, in Jackson’s article, the spa of Salus Umeritana was “…evidently sufficiently celebrated for the waters to be ‘bottled’ and transported to those who were unable to make a visit” (13). Do you believe that one must be present, for example, at the spas, in order to be healed? Although the spas/baths are built environments and the water is symbolic for it’s healing powers, can one component of this experience, such as the bottled water, be just as beneficial as the being present? (Jess)
"Roman engineers enclosed the spiring-head in a reservoir, drained the surrounding area, and constructed a temple precinct and monumental range of baths around the spring"(Jackson, 10) Is constructing shrines or monumental temples around the springs, such as the King's Bath spring, aid the natural spring to have a more powerful healing power? Does such complex and carefully incorporated image of temple separate from the spring itself or does the spring borrowing the healing image of the shrine or the temple? (Heeju)
"Chronic psychological disorders as well as hysterical afflictions or psychosomatic problems are most amenable to the power of suggestion or the placebo effect, and therefore logically account for such a high percentage or reportedly successful cures." (Talbot, 158) "transmitting the saint's holy powers was the myron or perfumed oil that exuded miraculously from the relics of certain saints" (Talbot, 160) Judging from the quotes above, is drinking holy oil or myron (holy water), or any kind of religious or cult's belief a way of healing the body or is it only from the placebo effect/miracle? (Heeju)
Alice Mary-Talbot is PUZZLED about the dynamics behind the formation of post-humously curative shrines of saints or holy persons, and she focuses much on the life stories of the individual saints/holy persons as the sole determinant in the making of the healing shrines (157-158). Looking from the perspective of our class, an ecology of healing and place-based approaches, what can we suggest her? Thinking of the specific geoilogical context of these shrines (such as the holy mineral waters of Pege Shrine in Istanbul and the urinary problems/kidney stone issues it was famous for curing) or the pilgrimages as a physical engagement with place, where can we take her puzzlement? (Omur)