SACRED AND PROFANE ASPECTS OF MEDICINE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE II CENTURY AD (ACCORDING TO THE "SACRED TALES" OF AELIUS ARISTIDES)

Tarasova Liubov

This article is devoted to the consideration of the relationship between the divine and rational aspects of healing in the Roman Empire of the II century A.D. using the example, although not quite typical, of the fight against diseases of Aelias Aristides. The famous Greek orator described the history of this confrontation in the "Sacred Tales". The author comes to the conclusion that even such a devoted admirer of Asclepius as Aristides was, there is no hostility to rational medicine. There was no conflict between spiritual and secular intervention in the healing of the sick in the second century AD in the Roman Empire. Both types of healing coexisted and complemented each other. Often, not only patients, but also doctors took into account the "prescriptions" of the healing gods in the treatment of diseases, while in the process of turning to temple medicine, patients could receive "prescriptions" that did not contradict the recommendations of professional healers.

Keywords:Roman Empire, Aelius Aristides, Asclepius, rational and sacred, temple medicine48