Medicine in Ancient Assur

A groundbreaking microhistorical study of ancient Mesopotamian medicine reveals the earliest detailed account of a healer's career, focusing on Kiṣir-Aššur, an exorcist practicing in 7th-century BCE Assur (modern northern Iraq). By analyzing at least 73 texts linked to his professional stages, the research sheds new light on the functional aspects of magico-medical texts and their specialist contexts. This work significantly advances our understanding of ancient medical practices, offering unprecedented insights into the training, role, and documentation of healers in one of the world's earliest civilizations. The study is particularly valuable for those interested in ancient Near Eastern medicine, library history, and the evolution of specialized knowledge.

Arbøll, T. P. (2021). Medicine in Ancient Assur. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004436084