A cultural history of disability in antiquity

Though there was not even a word for, or a concept of, disability in Antiquity, a considerable part of the population experienced physical or mental conditions that put them at a disadvantage. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, from literary texts and legal sources to archaeological and iconographical evidence as well as comparative anthropology, this volume uniquely examines contexts and conditions of disability in the ancient world. An essential resource for researchers, scholars and students of history, literature, culture and education, A Cultural History of Disability in Antiquity explores such themes and topics as: atypical bodies; mobility impairment; chronic pain and illness; blindness; deafness; speech; learning difficulties; and mental health.

1. Introduction: How and Whether to Say 'Disability' in Ancient Greek and Latin, Christian Laes, University of Manchester, UK and the University of Antwerp, Belgium 2. Atypical Bodies: Extraordinary Body Treatment and Consideration, Caroline Husquin, University of Lille, France 3. Mobility Impairment: Identifying Lived Experiences in Roman Italy, Emma-Jayne Graham, Open University, UK 4. Chronic Pain and Illness: Pain and Meaning in Graeco-Roman Antiquity, Laurien Zurhake, Open University, UK 5. Blindness: Visual Impairments in Antiquity, Frederik Van den Abeele, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium 6. Deafness: Sensory Impairment as Communication Disability, Past and Present, Ellen Adams, King's College, London, UK 7. Speech: Lack of Language, Lack of Power: Social Aspects of the Discourse about Communication Disorders in the Graeco-Roman World, Peter Kruschwitz, University of Reading, UK 8. Learning Difficulties: Intellectual Disability (= ID) in the Ancient Near East (ANE), Classical and Late Antiquity, Edgar Kellenberger, University of Basel, Switzerland 9. Mental Health Issues: Theory and Practice in the Ancient World, Jerry Toner, Hughes Hall, Cambridge, UK