Flinders University Department of Languages - Modern Greek
Abstract
In ancient times, Cyprus played an important role in the science of Medicine. This was
largely due to its rich mineral deposits and its varied vegetation, both of which were
primary sources for the preparation of medicaments. These attracted a number of wellknown
physicians who studied and, in the case of Galen in the second century AD,
visited the island. The paper will present the results of a recently concluded, two-year
research project that assembled all available information on the eponymous doctors of
ancient Cyprus and the medicaments associated with the island. It also deals with all
other evidence related to medicine and cure, such as ancient surgical instruments, the
occurrence of healing deities, the use of ex-votos, the use of sympathetic/prophylactic
magic, and other
