Are they're podcast listeners, just an FYI before the new episode of Emperors of Rome.

Last year we asked for some questions for a Q&A episode,

and occasionally I get a question, I get talking with an academic,

and suddenly it becomes a lot bigger than a simple answer to a simple question.

And so that's what you're about to hear today.

This episode on Roman Health and Medicine originally came via a question from Mark Porton in Queensland, Australia.

So Ave to you, Mark, thanks for your question and I hope you enjoy the episode. Ah they're and welcome to Emperors of Rome a Roman history podcast from

Wotrobe University. I'm your host Matt Smith and with me today is Dr.

Leanne McNamara, a lecturer in Classic Sand Ancient History at

Latrobe University.

This is episode CXXIV, Health and Medicine in Rome. The Romans had some strange ideas when it came to

medical practice but a lot has changed between now and then so you have to give them

some leeway. Some of the medical practices they used showed forward thinking,

but you might have to ignore the cabbages.

He's Leanne McNamara.

There's really two strands to Roman medicine at least in Imperial Times

There's traditional Roman medicine Roman medicine that's been practiced from time immemorial

Which was in the hands of the family, the head of the family, the Pata Familius was in

charge of looking after the health of the entire household, so that would include family members slaves

yeah absolutely slaves and the animals as well it all falls under the same umbrella of

taking care of the household.

So traditionally that was how medicine was practiced.

...