The worldwide spread of the corona virus is currently having a major impact on the everyday life of many people. While this is a new experience for most of us, pandemics and their consequences were well known to many historical societies. A vivid academic debate has started recently about the potential impact of epidemics – such as plague or smallpox – on the fall of the Roman Empire. Thanks to literary sources from the 2nd century CE, we know about diseases with far-reaching consequences for the people of ancient Pergamon, regardless of whether they lived in the city or in the countryside. These interrelations will be examined together with topics such as health and well-being or the role of the Pergamenian Asklepieion by members of the Pergamon Excavation on the basis of current research results.
Program:
Introduction
Prof. Dr. Felix Pirson, Istanbul
“Galen of Pergamon and the Antonine Plague”
Dr. Murat Tozan, Izmir
“The Sanctuary of Asklepios and its Spatial and Functional Relation with the City of Pergamon”
Dr. Ulrich Mania, Istanbul
“Living and Dying at Pergamon: The Evidence of the Human Remains”
Prof. Dr. Wolf-Rüdiger Teegen, München
