Physicians in Latin Historiography: Discourses, Representations and Narrative Functions from the Origins to Quintus Curtius Rufus
Abstract
Roman prejudices against Greek physicians and medicine, which can be found throughout Latin literature from the second century B.C., were also manifested in Latin historiography. A study of a corpus of historical texts indicates that physicians tend to be depicted there as evil and conspiring characters. However, Curtius’ Historiae marks a radical change in this representation. To demonstrate this, the passage of Alexander’s healing after receiving a wound in India (Curt. 9.5.22-30) will be analyzed from a narratological and intertextual point of view.
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