Man and Wound in the Ancient World: A History of Military Medicine from Sumer to the Fall of Constantinople

by Richard A. Gabriel

Wounds and disease were as devastating on the battlefields of the ancient world as they are today. In an age of bloody combat, how did physicians and medics cope with arrow injuries, spear and sword gashes, dysentery, and infection without the benefits of anesthesia or modern medical technology? In this compelling volume, military historian Richard A. Gabriel explores the long-hidden world of ancient military medicine from 4000 BC to AD 1453 to reveal its surprisingly sophisticated body of knowledge, practice, and technique.

 

Ranging broadly from the deserts of North Africa, across the plains of India and Persia, to the mountains of Europe and Asia Minor, this book examines medical history from the Bronze Age through the Middle Ages. By revealing long-forgotten medical secrets, Dr. Gabriel shows how ancient civilizations’ technologies have influenced modern medical practices. Comprehensive, thoughtful, sometimes graphic, and always accessible, Man and Wound in the Ancient World will be welcomed by anyone who wants to learn how today’s medical miracles build upon those of the past.

Genres: History, Medicine, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Ancient History

276 pages, Hardcover

First published November 28, 2011

Reviews

[Paul A · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Man and Wound in the Ancient World” is a fascinating look at an often overlooked facet of military history. Gabriel starts and ends the book by summarizing the biggest changes in the period between Sumer and the fall of Constantinople. From there, he goes in depth into the various societies that existed in Europe and the Near East, describing the context and evolutions of military medicine over time. Beyond battlefield surgery, it’s interesting to read about the roles that medical personnel filled along with how various societal factors affected different branches of medicine.

[Bonnie_blu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book thoroughly examines military medicine in the various cultures around the Mediterranean Sea from approximately 4000 BCE to 1453 CE. The author investigates each culture, the extent of its medical knowledge, and how the culture applied this knowledge to its military. As Gabriel reveals, most of the earliest cultures viewed disease as caused by the gods or other supernatural beings who were displeased with something the culture had done or not done. Therefore, most "medical" practice was in the form of incantations, charms, prayers, etc. However, some cultures began to see that there were physical causes of disease and developed more scientific treatments for disease and injury. Far above all of these cultures were the Romans, who had medical knowledge based on direct observation, testing, and analysis - - the beginnings of the scientific method. They used this information to form the western world's first thorough system of medical training so that legionary physicians had accurate and consistent training across the Empire and through time. In addition, Romans invented hemostats, ligatures to stop bleeding, amputation that most could survive, effective antiseptics and antibacterials, and much more. When the Empire fell in the west, all of this knowledge was lost, and the western world would not achieve the level of medical care the Roman military had until WWI.

[Trevor Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any other book by him, but he writes with a knowledge of what he is writing about. There are some cases in which he speculates, which some people could take as facts, but I look at it as the fact that this is his book and his perception of the facts.
With that in mind, he educates his readers rather well on the varying levels of western medicinal history much in the same way that Jared Diamond did with his topic in the book Guns, Germs, and Steel. He brings in varying civilisations, and tells us of their achievements that they brought forth that could be seen as a building block to an ancient equivalent to a modern medicinal feat.

I thoroughly enjoyed his writing form, and I thought it rather interesting how he showed how advanced the Romans truly were when it came to some innovations over not only their predecessors, but also their successors.

It was a fine read for it's genre, and I hope to read more by him later.

[David Falloure · Rating 5 out of 5]

We think of medicine as a modern invention. I f we do think of it historically, the mistake is assuming witchdoctors and ridiculous anecdotes from the middle ages. There was rationale, skill, and precision by ancient surgeons. Gabriel is a fantastic researcher and so knowledgeable. And he is a nice guy. He let my son interview him for a school project once.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proves what I as a trauma surgeon who has practiced in the US where everything is available and in Haiti where we got by fine with very little has long suspected. Modern medicine is not so modern! Especially surgery. Take a read if you aren't inclined to take my word for it. Ancient doctors understood surgical principles well and could treat many severe injuries successfully.