Identifying the connection between Roman Conceptions of ‘Pure Air’ and Physical and Mental Health in Pompeian Gardens (c. 150 BC-AD 79): A Multi-Sensory Approach to Ancient Medicine

Different genres of Roman literature commented on the relationship between the condition of the environment and physical and mental health. They often refer to clear, pure, or good air as a beneficial aspect of the environment. Yet, unlike fetid air, they provide few descriptions of what constituted healthy air quality. Moreover, aside from pointing out the association between the environment and bodily condition, the writers also did not explain precisely how the link between the two was made. This paper utilizes a comparative study of ancient literature and the archaeological remains of Roman gardens in Pompeii: archaeobotanical samples, fresco paintings, location, and surviving features. Three questions are addressed in this study: First, how did the Romans identify and define pure? Second, how did air connect to the body? Third, what were the qualities of pure air and how did they benefit the body? Not only was inhalation a means of linking air to the body, but the two were also related through sensory perception. I argue that sight, sound, and olfaction were used to identify the qualities of pure air. Through the sensory process of identification, the beneficial properties of pure air were, in accordance with ancient perceptions of sensory function, taken into the body and affected health. Thus, sensory perception acted as the bridge between the environment and health

Cod. 955 (Bindeeinheit) / De die natali

Goff C377; Klebs 262.2; Pell 3470; CIBN C-215; IGI 2683; Saj\uf3-Solt\ue9sz 964; IDL 1205; IBE 1555; IBPort 498; SI 1100; Coll(S) 313; Coll(U) 422; Sch\ufcling 276; Oates 2159, 2160; Pr 5540; BMC V 550; BSB-Ink C-220; Zehnacker 660; Delisle 397Datierung nach ISTCAufnahme nach: 6NB-InkISTC ic00377000HCR H 4846* = 4848 (I & III)GW 647

De die natali. Add: Plutarchus: De invidia et odio. Basilius Magnus: De invidia; Epistola ad Georgium Nazianzenum de officiis vitae solitariae

Reproduction of original in Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze.Electronic reproduction

De die natali liber ad Q. Caerellium / digital edition published by digilibLT digital library of late-Latin texts

Correzione linguistica Simona Musso Codifica XML Simona Musso HomePage del progetto: https://digiliblt.uniupo.it/ Documentazione: https://digiliblt.uniupo.it/progetto.ph

Censorini liber de die natali : C. Lucilii, satyrarum quae supersunt reliquiae cum notis & animadversionibus Franc. Ian. F. Douzae ex recensione Sigeberti Havercampi ...

cum perpetuo commentario Henrici Lindenbrogii

Cod. 955 (Bindeeinheit) / De die natali

Goff C377; Klebs 262.2; Pell 3470; CIBN C-215; IGI 2683; Sajó-Soltész 964; IDL 1205; IBE 1555; IBPort 498; SI 1100; Coll(S) 313; Coll(U) 422; Schüling 276; Oates 2159, 2160; Pr 5540; BMC V 550; BSB-Ink C-220; Zehnacker 660; Delisle 397Datierung nach ISTCAufnahme nach: ÖNB-InkISTC ic00377000HCR H 4846* = 4848 (I & III)GW 647

Censorini De die natali liber /

Includes bibliographical references and index.Mode of access: Internet