Ancient Rome was once a great civilization that made a lasting impact on society. The city developed ahead of its time and brought forth many advances in architecture, engineering, and medicine, among much else. While ancient Rome may have had many impressive accomplishments, it was also plagued with a wide array of diseases. From infectious epidemics to common maladies, the citizens of Rome were no strangers to the threat of physical ailments. Though knowledge about the etiology of diseases has come a long way since this era, it’s still beneficial to take a look back at the maladies that affected ancient Romans and understand how they dealt with them.
Plague of Athens
Arguably one of the most devastating maladies to befall the citizens of Rome was an epidemic known as the Plague of Athens. This disease first appeared in 430 BC and is estimated to have taken the lives of between 75,000 to 200,000 people. Though the cause of this epidemic is still largely unknown, researchers suspect that it was started by a sick slave who had arrived in Athens from Ethiopia. Symptoms of the plague included fever, exhaustion, and a haemorrhagic rash, and many people died within three days of the onset of the illness. Ancient medicine was unable to offer assistance, and so the plague spread across the Mediterranean and eventually made its way to Italy. As a result, Rome was soon rocked by the epidemic and its citizens were exhausted from treating its victims.
Intestinal Parasites
Another health issue that plagued ancient Rome was the prevalence of intestinal parasites. This was likely caused by the use of stagnant and contaminated water, as well as from eating undercooked and contaminated food. Evidence of this can be seen in numerous ancient Roman artifacts and texts, which mention the presence of Ascaris Lumbricoides and whipworms, two of the most common parasitic worms in the ancient world. Infection with these parasites was often painful and could cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss. Additionally, they could cause further health complications by blocking the intestines and impairing digestion.
Malaria
Malaria, which is caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito, was also an issue for the ancient Romans. The disease can cause fever, chills, and anemia and can be fatal if left untreated. Malaria was widespread throughout the Mediterranean due to its warm climate and the disease took its toll on the citizens of Rome. In fact, the ancient Roman physician Galen wrote extensively about the effects of malaria in his treatise on medicine.
Malnutrition
Though Rome was famous for its delicious cuisine, its citizens were still prone to malnutrition. This is likely due to the fact that the city was heavily populated and the resources dwindled quickly between all the citizens. This meant that many people did not have regular access to food, and malnutrition was a common problem regardless of social class. Malnutrition led to many long-term health issues, such as anemia, wasting, scurvy, and rickets.
Skin diseases
Skin diseases were also an issue for the citizens of Rome, and these could come from a variety of sources. Many skin diseases were caused by bacterial or fungal infections, like athlete’s foot or ringworm. Additionally, many were caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to extreme weather, or contact with insects or other animals. Lastly, some skin diseases were caused by malnutrition, particularly in cases where the body was not receiving enough vitamin A.
Eye Diseases
A range of eye diseases were also prevalent in ancient Rome. The most common of these were ocular lesions caused by bacteria or fungus, as well as cataracts caused by trauma or malnutrition. Additionally, some citizens suffered from extreme myopic vision due to extended periods of time looking into a strained distance.
Respiratory Issues
The air quality in ancient Rome was far from pristine, which led to citizens suffering from a variety of respiratory issues. Smoke from cook fires clogged the air inside and outside of the city, and dust from the roads was inhaled by those who worked outside. As a result, bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory ailments were common among the citizens of Rome.
Treatments for Diseases in Ancient Rome
Though our society is fortunate enough to have access to a variety of treatments and medications, this was not the case in ancient Rome. Though some remedies existed, many of them were ineffective due to a lack of knowledge about the cause of the disease. The treatments that did exist often included potions made of herbs and spices, as well as laxatives and purgatives. Additionally, some physicians used “cupping” in an attempt to draw the illness from the body using suction from heated cups.
Public Healthcare
Though modern medicine has allowed us to dramatically improve public health, the same could not be said in the days of ancient Rome. The city did provide some basic healthcare, such as access to public baths or the use of leeches to reduce swelling. However, much of the responsibility for treatment was placed on individual households, through the use of herbs and other home remedies.
Conclusion of Diseases in Ancient Rome
In conclusion, the era of ancient Rome was a time plagued by many maladies and illnesses. From the devastating Plague of Athens to common intestinal parasites, the citizens of Rome were no strangers to physical ailments. Though modern medicine has come a long way since then, it’s still insightful to take a look back into the past and understand how the citizens of Rome dealt with their diseases.
