The disease then seized upon his whole body and distracted…
““The disease then seized upon his whole body and distracted it by various torments. For he had a slow fever, and the itching of the skin of his whole body was insupportable. He suffered also from continuous pains in his colon, and there were swellings on his feet like those of a person suffering from dropsy, while his abdomen was inflamed and his privy member so putrefied as to produce worms. Besides this he could breathe only in an upright posture, and then only with difficulty, and he had convulsions in all his limbs, so that the diviners said that his diseases were a punishment.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A detailed description of a severe, multi‑symptom illness, interpreted by diviners as divine punishment, highlighting ancient medical and religious perspectives.
In simple terms: Severe illness seen as divine punishment.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how beliefs shape disease interpretation.
Themes
medicine
religion
history
Mood
scholarly
inquisitive
Type
historical
medical
When to use this quote
- historical medical texts
- theological studies
- archaeological research
Key Concepts
ancient pathology
divine retribution
clinical observation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about ancient health beliefs?
- How did religion influence medical practice?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may reflect limited medical knowledge.