Illness and Health Care in the Ancient Near East: The Role of the Temple in Greece, Mesopotamia, and Israel

According ancient Israel appears approach argues Asclepieia Asclepius āšipu aspects asû Bible biblical body bronze causes century concerning consultants cult deity depicted described discussion disease divine East effect Epidauros evidence example excluded existence fact figurines function Greece Greek Gula healing health care system History human illness important impurity incantation indicates inscription involved Isin Israelite king known least leprosy locus magical Medicine mentioned Mesopotamia natural notes offerings options particular patient period person petitionary physical physicians population possible prayer Press priests probably professions prophet published purity reason references reflects regarded reports responsible result rituals role says scholars seems seen serpent shrine sick significant social society sources specific status story suggests temple of G/N term thanksgiving theology therapeutic therapy tradition treatment usually various Yahweh