Marginal GroupsMarginal Groups

The Ugly and Deformed IThe Ugly and Deformed I

ApproachesApproaches

What are the difficulties in What are the difficulties in researching the deformed/disabled in researching the deformed/disabled in antiquity?antiquity?

TerminologyTerminology Greek and Latin terms for deformities reveal social attitudesGreek and Latin terms for deformities reveal social attitudes Greek: Greek: terasteras Latin: Latin: monstrum monstrum both terms define humans/animals with gross malformationsboth terms define humans/animals with gross malformations Terms have religious connotation: portent, omen, monster, etc.Terms have religious connotation: portent, omen, monster, etc. Modern derivatives: Modern derivatives: Teramorphous: 1. Having a monstrous form or nature. 2. Shaped like a 1. Having a monstrous form or nature. 2. Shaped like a

monster. monster. Teratological: 1. In medicine, a reference to the study of birth defects and 1. In medicine, a reference to the study of birth defects and

their causes. 2. Referring to that division of embryology and pathology that their causes. 2. Referring to that division of embryology and pathology that deals with abnormal development and congenital bodily malformations. deals with abnormal development and congenital bodily malformations. 3. Used in biology to denote the study and science of malformations and 3. Used in biology to denote the study and science of malformations and abnormal growths in animals and plants. abnormal growths in animals and plants. 4. Descriptive of the study of monstrosities or abnormal formations in 4. Descriptive of the study of monstrosities or abnormal formations in animals or plants; involving monstrosity, monstrous. animals or plants; involving monstrosity, monstrous.

Etc.,Etc., Other Latin terms: mutus = dumb, mute (an anomatopoeic word = imitates Other Latin terms: mutus = dumb, mute (an anomatopoeic word = imitates

sound of ‘mu’ like animals who cannot speak)sound of ‘mu’ like animals who cannot speak)

Modern terminology? What does Garland have to say about our Modern terminology? What does Garland have to say about our terminology?terminology?

Modern science and Modern science and malformationmalformation

2 principal categories:2 principal categories:1. defective or excessive number of 1. defective or excessive number of

body partsbody parts2. partial or complete doubling of 2. partial or complete doubling of

body along one of its axes; extreme body along one of its axes; extreme joining, i.e. identical twins conjoined joining, i.e. identical twins conjoined or siamese twinsor siamese twins

Category 1Category 1

Cyclopian malformation = Cyclopian malformation = synophthalmiasynophthalmia

A rare pathological condition: single or A rare pathological condition: single or double median eye in one orbit at root double median eye in one orbit at root of nose; or orbital cavity lacks eyeballof nose; or orbital cavity lacks eyeball

Usually combined with other deformities Usually combined with other deformities (brain, skull, extremities, heart) usually (brain, skull, extremities, heart) usually fatal; do not survive to adulthoodfatal; do not survive to adulthood

Cyclopes in the Greek MythCyclopes in the Greek Myth

Sons of Gaia (Earth) and Ouranos (Sky) 1Sons of Gaia (Earth) and Ouranos (Sky) 1stst generation of gods generation of gods

““She (Gaia) bore the Cyclopes too, with She (Gaia) bore the Cyclopes too, with hearts of stone, Brontes, Steropes and hearts of stone, Brontes, Steropes and ponderous Arges, Who gave Zeus thunder ponderous Arges, Who gave Zeus thunder and made the thunderbolt; in every other and made the thunderbolt; in every other respect they were just like gods, but a lone respect they were just like gods, but a lone eye lay in their foreheads’ middle. They eye lay in their foreheads’ middle. They were nicknamed Cyclopes because they were nicknamed Cyclopes because they had a single goggle eye in their forehead’s had a single goggle eye in their forehead’s middle. Strong as the dickens, and they middle. Strong as the dickens, and they knew their craft.: (Hesiod, knew their craft.: (Hesiod, TheogonyTheogony 140 140 ff.)ff.)

Cyclops in Greek MythCyclops in Greek Myth

see passagesee passage In the Odyssey, the Cyclops In the Odyssey, the Cyclops

Polyphemos and his fellow cyclopes Polyphemos and his fellow cyclopes uncivilized, live far from human uncivilized, live far from human habitation; have no laws, do not habitation; have no laws, do not practice agriculture; have not social practice agriculture; have not social organization; eat humansorganization; eat humans

Monsters not just in appearance but Monsters not just in appearance but also in behaviouralso in behaviour

Polyphemos and OdysseusPolyphemos and Odysseus

Category 2. Category 2.

Modern term – Modern term – sirenoidsirenoid – one single – one single foot or limbs joined throughout foot or limbs joined throughout length of body with no separate feetlength of body with no separate feet

Sirens in Greek mythSirens in Greek mythNote – terms derived from Greek Note – terms derived from Greek

myths, both Greeks and Romans myths, both Greeks and Romans familiar with these monstersfamiliar with these monsters

Do the sirens have a skill?Do the sirens have a skill?

Sirens in the OdysseySirens in the Odyssey 'All these things have thus come to an end.'All these things have thus come to an end.

But you must listen now to what I sayBut you must listen now to what I say——a god himself will be reminding you.a god himself will be reminding you.First of all, you'll run into the Sirens.First of all, you'll run into the Sirens.They seduce all men who come across They seduce all men who come across them.                          [40]them.                          [40]Whoever unwittingly goes past themWhoever unwittingly goes past themand hears the Sirens' call never gets back.                           and hears the Sirens' call never gets back.                           5050His wife and infant children in his homeHis wife and infant children in his homewill never stand beside him full of joy.will never stand beside him full of joy.No.  Instead, the Sirens' clear-toned songNo.  Instead, the Sirens' clear-toned songwill captivate his heart.  They'll be sittingwill captivate his heart.  They'll be sittingin a meadow, surrounded by a pile,in a meadow, surrounded by a pile,a massive heap, of rotting human bonesa massive heap, of rotting human bonesencased in shriveled skin.  (Homer, Odyssey 12. 39 ff)encased in shriveled skin.  (Homer, Odyssey 12. 39 ff)

A Greek sirenA Greek siren

The God HephaistosThe God Hephaistos

Has crippled feet, is an outsider Has crippled feet, is an outsider among the perfect Olympian godsamong the perfect Olympian gods

Mythological explanations: special Mythological explanations: special powers marked by special signspowers marked by special signs

The birth of HephaistosThe birth of Hephaistos

““and Hera, furious at her husband, and Hera, furious at her husband, bore a child without making love, bore a child without making love, glorious Hephaistos, the finest glorious Hephaistos, the finest artisan of all the Ouranians. (Hesiod, artisan of all the Ouranians. (Hesiod, TheogonyTheogony 933) 933)

Hera was disappointed when she saw Hera was disappointed when she saw the newborn and hurled him from the newborn and hurled him from heaven in a rage.heaven in a rage.

How Haphaistos became How Haphaistos became lamelame

Then she called the famous artisan Hephaestus:“Come Then she called the famous artisan Hephaestus:“Come here, Hephaestus. Thetis needs to see you.” The celebrated here, Hephaestus. Thetis needs to see you.” The celebrated lame god then replied to Charis: “Here’s a fearful honoured lame god then replied to Charis: “Here’s a fearful honoured goddess in my home, the one who saved me when I was in goddess in my home, the one who saved me when I was in pain, after my great fall, thanks to my mother, that pain, after my great fall, thanks to my mother, that shameless one, eager to conceal me,shameless one, eager to conceal me,because I was a cripple. At that time, I would have suffered because I was a cripple. At that time, I would have suffered heartfelt agonies, if Thetis and Eurynome, daughterheartfelt agonies, if Thetis and Eurynome, daughterof circling Ocean stream, had not taken meinto their hearts. of circling Ocean stream, had not taken meinto their hearts. With those two, for nine years I made many lovely things—With those two, for nine years I made many lovely things—brooches,brooches,spiral bracelets, earrings, necklaces—inside their hollow spiral bracelets, earrings, necklaces—inside their hollow cave. The Ocean stream flowed round me, always with the cave. The Ocean stream flowed round me, always with the roar of surf. roar of surf.  No one else knew, neither god nor mortal No one else knew, neither god nor mortal man. But Thetis and Eurynome—the ones who rescued meman. But Thetis and Eurynome—the ones who rescued me—they knew.—they knew. And now Thetis And now Thetishas come into my home. So I must give her full recompensehas come into my home. So I must give her full recompense—fair-haired Thetis saved my life (Homer, Iliad 18.395 ff.)—fair-haired Thetis saved my life (Homer, Iliad 18.395 ff.)

Deriding HephaistosDeriding Hephaistos

Iliad Book 1, 571-600Iliad Book 1, 571-600Hephaistos in the role of the Hephaistos in the role of the

cupbearer Gannimede, a beautiful cupbearer Gannimede, a beautiful youth, Zeus lusted after and youth, Zeus lusted after and kidnapped to Mount Olymposkidnapped to Mount Olympos

Ancient audience familiar with the Ancient audience familiar with the myths would have laughed at the myths would have laughed at the image of limping ugly Hephaistos in image of limping ugly Hephaistos in that role.that role.

The cult of HephaistosThe cult of Hephaistos

Had own cult only at Athens because of his Had own cult only at Athens because of his fling with Athenafling with Athena

A smith; craftsmen and craftmanship were A smith; craftsmen and craftmanship were secondary to warrior who had excellence secondary to warrior who had excellence ((aretearete))

Special importance of smith’s craft in Bronze Special importance of smith’s craft in Bronze and early Iron Ages led to close involvement and early Iron Ages led to close involvement in political and religious organizationin political and religious organization

Traces of a smith kingship in Late Hittite Traces of a smith kingship in Late Hittite tradition; association of a smith workshop and tradition; association of a smith workshop and religious sanctuary on Cyprus (12religious sanctuary on Cyprus (12thth century century BC) BC)

The deformed in Greek mythsThe deformed in Greek myths

Hephaistos in Greek myth – crippled, ugly, Hephaistos in Greek myth – crippled, ugly, an outsider, but exceptionally talented an outsider, but exceptionally talented artist producing beautiful jewellery and artist producing beautiful jewellery and weapons weapons

Sirens, cyclops all have some talents that Sirens, cyclops all have some talents that are acknowledgedare acknowledged

Likely reflects role of disabled in warrior Likely reflects role of disabled in warrior culture – as craftsmen, artisans, artists culture – as craftsmen, artisans, artists etc., although marginal, contribution etc., although marginal, contribution recognizedrecognized

BreakBreak

See passage, pg. 23 in GarlandSee passage, pg. 23 in Garland

Approaches to the Study of the Approaches to the Study of the Deformed in AntiquityDeformed in Antiquity

What are the major problems for What are the major problems for studying this subject? studying this subject?

ProblemsProblems

Insufficient sourcesInsufficient sourcesNo statistical data to determine No statistical data to determine

prevalenceprevalenceBetter Approach – Comparative data Better Approach – Comparative data

of prevalenceof prevalence

Ancient contextAncient context

Prevalence of disease; malnutritionPrevalence of disease; malnutritionSocial practices: inbreeding, lack of Social practices: inbreeding, lack of

medical treatment of deformities; medical treatment of deformities; poor survival ratespoor survival rates

Religious association – deformity sign Religious association – deformity sign of gods’ angerof gods’ anger

Deformed childrenDeformed children

Spartans had law that demanded killing of Spartans had law that demanded killing of deformed infantdeformed infant

Is there evidence from other places in Is there evidence from other places in antiquity with such laws?antiquity with such laws?

What were attitudes elsewhere? (Ch. 1)What were attitudes elsewhere? (Ch. 1) In the Roman World? In the Roman World? See p. 16 Dionysius of Halicarnassus on See p. 16 Dionysius of Halicarnassus on

RomulusRomulus The law of the XII TablesThe law of the XII Tables Did social status have an impact on Did social status have an impact on

decision to raise or not to raise?decision to raise or not to raise?

Deformities acquired after Deformities acquired after BirthBirth

Accidents, warfareAccidents, warfare Archaeological evidence: skeletons from Greece: 10% at Archaeological evidence: skeletons from Greece: 10% at

least one fracture; 4 out of 5 were males; serious fractures least one fracture; 4 out of 5 were males; serious fractures would be death sentencewould be death sentence

Roman evidence: Herculaneum (79 BCE) – injuries among Roman evidence: Herculaneum (79 BCE) – injuries among males 3 times as high as among femalesmales 3 times as high as among females

Female malnutrition: iron deficiency caused porotic Female malnutrition: iron deficiency caused porotic hyperostosis (makes bone tissue spongy and soft) – 41% of hyperostosis (makes bone tissue spongy and soft) – 41% of women, 28% of men. women, 28% of men.

Cemetary in England – 4Cemetary in England – 4thth century – shows 80% of buried century – shows 80% of buried sufered from osteoarthosi/ osteoarthritis sufered from osteoarthosi/ osteoarthritis

Injuries/disorders of legs and fee (evidence of votive items Injuries/disorders of legs and fee (evidence of votive items in shape of feet and legs – in healing sanctuaries)in shape of feet and legs – in healing sanctuaries)

For ordinary people loss of use of leg or foot – catastrophicFor ordinary people loss of use of leg or foot – catastrophic Slaves particularly vulnerable Slaves particularly vulnerable War veteransWar veterans

Pliny, Letters 8.18 (Garland p. Pliny, Letters 8.18 (Garland p. 20) 20)

Crippled and deformed in every limb, Crippled and deformed in every limb, he could only enjoy his vast wealth by he could only enjoy his vast wealth by contemplating it and could not even contemplating it and could not even turn in bed without assistance. He turn in bed without assistance. He also had to have his teeth cleaned also had to have his teeth cleaned and brushed for him – a squalid and and brushed for him – a squalid and pitiful detail – and when complaining pitiful detail – and when complaining about the humiliations of his infirmity about the humiliations of his infirmity was often heard to say that every day was often heard to say that every day he licked the fingers of his slaves. he licked the fingers of his slaves.

malnutritionmalnutrition

High prevalence in antiquity (today High prevalence in antiquity (today in 3in 3rdrd world) world)

Starvation oedema (see pg. 21 Starvation oedema (see pg. 21 passage from Hesiod)passage from Hesiod)

Children and women received less Children and women received less food than adult males, food than adult males,

Girls less than boys Girls less than boys

The life of the disabledThe life of the disabled

General attitudes towards them?General attitudes towards them?Were they excluded or included?Were they excluded or included?Who supported them?Who supported them?