Disabilities in Roman Antiquity: Disparate Bodies A Capite ad Calcem

by Christian Laes (Editor), Chris Goodey (Editor), M. Lynn Rose (Editor)

This is the first volume ever to systematically study the subject of disabilities in the Roman world. The contributors examine the topic from head to mental and intellectual disability, alcoholism, visual impairment, speech disorder, hermaphroditism, monstrous births, mobility problems, osteology and visual representations of disparate bodies.

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ellana Thornton-Wheybrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering I'm disabled and a Classicist, this was surprisingly my first look at disability in antiquity.

This doesn't just cover the Roman era, but even disability in the Homeric epics; from discussions on sex and gender, to what counts as a disability, this is a fascinating book.

[Emily Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT read on different conditions and whether they were or not disabilities (or disparate, as the editor prefers). My favorite part was the end, because really, nothing says "good luck charm" like a hunchback with a backwards-waving phallus (which would be pointed towards you, as you face the figure to the wall to ward off the evil eye). Who says history can't be interesting?

[kimmmxviii · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grahams chapter was real useful for me. These anthology by Laes never disappoints. Love them all.