Healing, Disease and Placebo in Graeco-Roman Asclepius Temples

The narrative explores the phenomenon of religious healing at the asclepieia, sanctuaries dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. Originating in the sixth century BCE, this cult attracted those suffering from various ailments and flourished during the Hellenistic era, spreading across the Graeco-Roman world. The book examines the interplay of healing practices, disease, and the placebo effect within these sacred spaces, highlighting their significance until the rise of Christianity in the fifth century CE.