Medieval Islamic Medicine

[Al-khiyal]

In this podcast series Peter Pormann of the University of Warwick's Department of Classics and Ancient History explores the history of medical theory and practice in the medieval Islamic world:

1. Introduction to medieval Islamic medicine

2. Medical inheritance - cultures and traditions of theory

3. The translation movement - the spread of ideas

4. Theory and practice - butchers or healers?

5. Practitioners in society

6. Medicine, magic and religion

7. The medieval in the modern


Medieval Islamic medicine

[Al-khiyal]

Medieval Islamic Medicine by Peter E. Pormann & Emilie Savage-Smith (U.S.A.)



Medieval Islamic Medicine by Peter E. Pormann & Emilie Savage-Smith (U.K.)

"The medical tradition that developed in the lands of Islam during the medieval period (c. 650-1500) has, like few others, influenced the fates and fortunes of countless human beings. It is the story of contact and cultural exchange across countries and creeds, affecting caliphs, kings, courtiers, courtesans, and the common crowd. In addition to being fascinating in its own right, it formed the roots from which modern Western medicine arose. Contrary to the stereotypical picture, medieval Islamic medicine was not simply a conduit for Greek ideas, but was a venue for innovation and change. The book is organised around five topics: the emergence of medieval Islamic medicine and its intense cross-pollination with other cultures, the theoretical medical framework, the function of physicians with the larger society, the medical care as seen through preserved case histories, and the role of magic and devout religious invocations in scholarly as well as everyday medicine. A concluding chapter on the 'afterlife' concerns its impact of medieval upon the European medical tradition and its continued practice today. The aim of this book is not to compress the entire history of medieval Islamic medicine into a single small volume. Rather, it presents an overview, highlighted with particular examples."

[Bent_Bladi]

In this podcast series Peter Pormann of the University of Warwick's Department of Classics and Ancient History explores the history of medical theory and practice in the medieval Islamic world:

1. Introduction to medieval Islamic medicine

2. Medical inheritance - cultures and traditions of theory

3. The translation movement - the spread of ideas

4. Theory and practice - butchers or healers?

5. Practitioners in society

6. Medicine, magic and religion

7. The medieval in the modern


Medieval Islamic medicine

Thanks so much... this is awesome...!!

Did you guys know that in Syria (maybe in other Arab countries too) the barber used to be the "doctor" or healer for the people? Awesome, huh?

[amalgamate]

Thanks for the links!!

[Al-khiyal]

3afwan, you are very welcome. Those are nice resources and I don't know how long the podcasts will be hosted online, so take them now while you can!

[TomAbbott]

Hi there,

just a note as Producer of the Podcast - there is no intention to take them down so don't worry about them suddenly vanishing.

Any comments on the content or production are always welcome.

Hope you enjoy them.

Cheers from Warwick Uni.

[Bent_Bladi]

wow! you're the producer! awesome ... keep going