SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1

Healers in Lycaonia According to Epigraphy Sources

Epigrafik Kaynaklara Göre Lykaonia’da Şifa Vericiler

Mehmet Kurt0000-0003-4440-9900
Pages
71–84
Publication Date
2026-08-22
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Therefore, this study aims to determine the extent of Asclepius worship and the presence of physicians in the region, based on inscriptions found in Lycaonia.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Diseases and their treatment have held an important place in the lives of all societies, and therefore have been the subject of mythological narratives.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Furthermore, since religion, magic, and healing were seen together in ancient times, oracles and healers were found in temples.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Therefore, this study aims to determine the extent of Asclepius worship and the presence of physicians in the region, based on inscriptions found in Lycaonia.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Epigrafik kaynaklar · Lykaonia · Asklepios

Abstract

Diseases and their treatment have held an important place in the lives of all societies, and therefore have been the subject of mythological narratives. Furthermore, since religion, magic, and healing were seen together in ancient times, oracles and healers were found in temples. Asclepius, the patron god of medicine, and his daughter Hygeia, along with the Asclepions, which were centers for healing, have distinguished themselves in the field of health. The presence of inscriptions mentioning Asclepius and Hygeia, as well as statues dedicated to these deities, in Lycaonia reveals the existence of an Asclepius cult in the region. On the other hand, alongside healthcare centers, physicians who treat illnesses have always been among the most respected people in the communities in which they live. Indeed, this was also true for Lycaonia, as evidenced by the presence of numerous physicians in inscriptions found in the region. Numerous studies have been conducted to date on the history, historical geography, and archaeology of the Lycaonia region. However, studies on the social and cultural conditions of the region are quite limited, and there are no studies specifically on the cult of Asclepius and healthcare professionals. Therefore, this study aims to determine the extent of Asclepius worship and the presence of physicians in the region, based on inscriptions found in Lycaonia.

Özet

Toplumların hayatında hastalıklar ve tedavisi önemli bir yer tuttuğundan mitolojik anlatılara konu olmuştur. Eski çağlarda din, büyü ve tedavi bir arada görüldüğünden tapınaklarda kahin ve şifacılar bulunmuştur. Tıbbın koruyucu tanrısı Asklepios ile kızı Hygeia şifa vericiler, Asklepion’lar ise şifa veren merkezler olarak sağlık alanında öne çıkmışlardır. Lykaonia’da ele geçmiş Asklepios ile Hygeia’nın geçtiği yazıtlar, söz konusu tanrılara adanmış heykeller, bölgede Asklepios kültünün varlığını ortaya koymaktadır. Öte yandan sağlık merkezleri yanında hastalıkları tedavi eden hekimler de daima içinde yaşadıkları toplumun en saygın insanlarından olmuşlardır. Bu durumun Lykaonia için de geçerli olduğu bölgeden ele geçmiş yazıtlarda çok sayıda hekimin varlığıyla belgelenmiştir. Lykaonia Bölgesi’nin tarihi, tarihi coğrafyası ve arkeolojisine dair çok sayıda çalışma yapılmıştır. Bununla birlikte bölgenin sosyal ve kültürel durumuna dair çalışmaların sayısı oldukça sınırlı olup Asklepios kültü ve sağlıkçılarla ilgili olarak yapılmış bir çalışma yoktur. Bu nedenle çalışmada Lykaonia’dan ele geçmiş yazıtlardan hareketle bölgede Asklepios tapınımının boyutu ve hekimlerin tespiti amaçlanmıştır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Kurt, M. (2026). Healers in Lycaonia According to Epigraphy Sources. Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1, 71–84. https://doi.org/10.47088/utad.1946400

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (43)

  1. Akdoğan, Hayriye Dilek, Ilgaz Akdoğan, Yaşar Barış Turgut ve Ali Çağlar Turgut. “Historical and Ethical Origin of the Medical Symbol: Which is the Staff and How Many Snakes?.” International Journal of Medical Science and Dental Research 7, sy. 6 (Kasım-Aralık, 2024): 1-7.
  2. Alkan, Mehmet ve Doğanay, Osman. Zengibar Kalesi (Isaura) Araştırmaları 1 Antik Kaynaklar ve Epigrafik Buluntular. İstanbul: Ege Yayınları, 2020.
  3. Antoniou, Stavros A., George A. Antoniou, Robert Learney, Frank A. Granderath ve Athanasios I. Antoniou. “The Rod and the Serpent: History’s Ultimate Healing Symbol.” World J Surg 35, sy. 1 (Ocak 2011): 217-221.
  4. Belke, Klaus ve Restle, Marcell. Galatien und Isaurien. Wien: Verlag Der Österreichischen Akademie Der Wissenschaften, 1984.
  5. Belke, Klaus. “L. Katakekaumene.” Der Neue Pauly, 6 içinde. Stuttgart: J. B. Metzler, 1999, 1132.
  6. CIG III. Corpus Inscriptionum Graecarum III, ed. A. Boeckh, Berlin: Berolini Ex Officina Academica, 1853.
  7. Compton, Michael T. “The Asociation of Hygieia with Asklepios in Graeco-Roman Asklepieion Medecine.” Journal of the History of Medecine and Allied Sciences 57, sy. 3 (Temmuz 2002): 312-329.
  8. Cousin, G. Kyros le Jeune en Asie Mineure (Printemps 408 – Juillet 401 avant Jésus-Christ), Nancy: Berger-Levrault & Cie, 1905.
  9. Emine Ceylan Ünal Akbulut. “Anadolu’da Antik Tıp Uygulamaları, Müzikle Tedavinin Doğuşu ve Asklepion’ların Önemi – Ayas (Aigai) Örneği.” The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies, sy. 87 (Ocak 2021): 157-170.
  10. Erten, Emre. “Seyitgazi/Nakoleia’dan Yeni Bir Asklepios Yazıtı”, Cedrus, sy. 6 (Ekim 2018): 226-271.
  11. Gruner, Heidi. “The Cult of Asclepius – The Temples of Medecine.” History of Medecine Medicina Interna 17, sy. 2 (Nisan-Haziran 2010): 122-123.
  12. Hamilton, William John. Researches in Asia Minor, Pontus and Armenia; with some account of their antiquites and geology II. London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1842.
  13. van der Horst, Pieter W. “Organized Charity in the Ancient World: Pagan, Jewish, Christian” Jewish and Christian Communal Identities in the Roman World, 116-133. London: Brill, 2016.
  14. ICG. https://icg.uni-kiel.de/icg/ICG_webapp/inscription/ (Erişim Tarihi: 26.03.2026).
  15. IGR III. Inscriptiones Graecae ad res Romanas Pertinenses III, Editör: R. Cagnat. Paris: Ernest Leroux, 1906.
  16. Işık, İlker ve Akbulut, Elif Zülal. “Savatra Antik Kenti’nde Tespit Edilen Tanrı ve Tanrıçalar.” Oannes – Uuslar arası Eskiçağ Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi 6, sy. 2 (Eylül 2024): 501-518.
  17. Jüthner, Julius, Fritz Knoll, Karl Patsch ve Heinrisch Swoboda, Vorläufiger Bericht über eine archäologische Expedition nach Kleinasien. Prag: Verlag Der Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Deutsher Wissenschaft, Kunst Literatur in Böhmen, 1903.
  18. Laminger-Pascher, Gertrude. Die kaiserzeitlichen Inschriften Lykaoniens. Wien: Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1992.
  19. MAMA VII. Monumenta Asiae Minoris Antiqua, Vol. VII, Monuments From Eastern Phrygia. London: The Manchester University Press, 1956.
  20. MAMA VIII. Monumenta Asiae Minoris Antiqua, Vol. VIII, Monuments from Lycaonia, The Pisido-Phrygian Borderland, Aphradisias. London: The Manchester University Press, 1962.
  21. MAMA XI. Monumenta Asiae Minoris Antiqua, Vol. XI Monuments from Phrygia and Lykaonia. Ed. P. Thonemann, London: Society For The Promotion Of Roman Studies, 2013.
  22. Merkelbach, Reinhold ve Stauber, Josef. Steinepigramme Aus Dem Griechischen Osten. Leipzig: De Gruyter, 2001.
  23. Nissen, Cécile. Prosopographie Des Médecins De L’Asie Mineure Pendant L’antiquité Classique. I. Catalogue Des Médecins. Yayımlanmamış Doktora Tezi, Liège Üniversitesi, 2006.
  24. Nissen, Cécile. “Asclépios et Les Medecins D’Après Les Inscriptions Grecques: Des Relations Cultuelles”, Medicana nei Secoli: Journal of History of Medecine And Medical Humanities, 19 sy. 3 (Novembre 2007): 721-744.
  25. Nuffelen, Peter van. “Deux fausses lettres de Julien l’Apostat (La lettre aux juifs, Ep. 51 [Wright], et lettre è Arsacius, Ep. 84 [Bidez].” Vigilliae Christianae 56, sy. 2 (Ocak 2002): 131-150.
  26. Nutton, Vivian. “Archiatri and the Medical Profession in Antiquity.” Papers of the British School at Rome, sy. 45 (1977): 191-226.
  27. Ramsay, Margaret. “The early Christian Art of Isaura Nova.” The Journal of Hellenic Studies, sy. 24, (1904): 260-292.
  28. Ramsay, Margaret. “Isaurian And East-Phrygian Art In The Third And Fourth Centuries After Christ”, Studies in the History and Art of the Eastern Provinces of Roman Empire içinde Editör: W. M. Ramsay, 3-91. Eberdeen: Eberdeen University Press, 1906.
  29. Ramsay, William Mitchell. Luke The Physician And Other Studies In The History Of Religion. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908.
  30. Robert, Louis. Hellenica Recueil D’Épigraphie De Numismatique Et D’Antiquités Grecques, XIII, D’Aphrodisias A La Lycaonie. Paris: Librairie d’Amerique et d’Orient, A. Maisonneuve, 1965.
  31. Robinson, David M. “Inscriptions at Dineir, the Ancient Apamea.” The American Journal of Philology 48, sy. 1, (1927): 29-33.
  32. Röhr, Bianka. Kult und Fest in Lykaonien. Hamburg: Verlag Dr. Kovac, 2009.
  33. Samama, Évelyne. Les Médecins Dans Le Monde Grec Sources Épigraphiques Sur La Naissance D’un Corps Médical. Genève: Librairie Droz S.A., 2003.
  34. Schulze, Christian. Medizin und Christentum in Spätantike und frühen Mittelalter Christliche Ärzte und ihr Wirken. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2005.
  35. Stanley, Christopher D. Paul And Asklepios The Greco-Roman Quest for Healing and the Apostolic Mission. London: t&tclark, 2023.
  36. Stathakopoulos, Dionysios Ch. Famine and Pestilence in the Late Roman and Early Byzantine Empire A Systematic Survey of Subsistence Crises and Epidemics. London: Routledge, 2004.
  37. Steger, Florian. “Asclepius: Cult and Medecine.” History of Medecine 6, sy. 3 (Haziran 2019): 176-187. Sterrett, J. R. Sitlington. The Wolfe Expedition to Asia Minor, Boston: Dammrell and Upham, 1888.
  38. Swoboda, Heinrich, Josef Keil ve Fritz Knoll. Denkmäler Aus Lykaonien Pamphylien und Isaurien. Wien: Rohrer, 1935.
  39. Texier, Charles. Description de l’Asie Mineure: faite par ordre du gouvernement français, de 1833 à 1837. Vol. 2, Paris: Firmin Didot Fréres, 1849.
  40. Yiannaki, Soteria T., Nikitas N. Nomikos, Dimitris Gargalianos, Georgia Stathopoulou ve Georgia Trakada. “Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medecine.” Journal of the International Society fort he History of Medecine XXVI, sy.1 (Haziran 2020): 41-57.
  41. Zimanyi, Ákos. “Archiatres id est medicus sapientissimus” – Changes in the meaning of the term archiatros in the Roman Empire”, Sapiens Ubique Civis, Editörler: János Nagyillés, Attila Hajdú, Gergő Gellérfi, Anne Horn Baroody ve Sam Baroody, 189-230. (Budapest: ELTE Eötvös Jósef Collegium, 2015).
  42. Zimmermann, Christiane. “Christinnen in Lykaonien.” Early Christianity sy. 6 (Aralık 2015): 445-487.
  43. Zimmermann, Christiane. “Präsentation und Selbstrepräsentation von Christinnen auf lykaonischen Grabinschriften”, Authority and Identity in Emerging Christianities in Asia Minor and Greece içinde Editörler: Cilliers Breytenbach, Julien M. Ogereau, 112-141. Leiden: Brill, 2018.