Pharmacology and psychiatry at the origins of Greek medicine: The myth of Melampus and the madness of the Proetides.
Melampus is a seer-healer of Greek myth attributed with having healed the young princesses of Argos of madness. Analysis of this legend and its sources sheds light on the early stages of the "medicalizing" shift in the history of ancient Greek medicine. Retrospective psychological diagnosis suggests that the descriptions of the youths' madness rose from actual observation of behavioral and mental disorders. Melampus is credited with having healed them by administering hellebore. Pharmacological analysis of botanical specimens proves that Helleborus niger features actual neurological properties effective in the treatment of mental disorders. The discussion aims at examining the rational aspects of the treatment of mental conditions in Greco-Roman antiquity.
a Department of Historical Studies , University of Milan , Milan , Italy.
Matteo F
MF
Olivieri
b Centro Antropologia e Mondo Antico , University of Siena , Siena , Italy.
Francesca
F
Marzari
c Pharmacist , Munich , Germany.
Andreas J
AJ
Kesel
d Department of Psychology , University of Milano-Bicocca , Milan , Italy.
Laura
L
Bonalume
e San Gerardo Hospital, Department of Pediatrics , University of Milano-Bicocca , Milan , Italy.
Francesco
F
Saettini
D000076145:Greece, Ancient; D018645:Greek World / Q000266:history; D039322:Helleborus / Q000502:physiology; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000266:history*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000266:history*; D009229:Mythology; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000266:history*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D018644:Roman World / Q000266:history
Greek myth; Melampus; Proetides; hellebore; madness; pharmacology; retrospective psychological diagnosis