Base for a dedication depicting medical instruments
Place where the object is located
Acropolis Museum
Story of the object
In the front part of the base, a relief representation of medical instruments may be found. Between two large cups, an open case containing surgical instruments may be seen. They are five scalpels of various shapes for making incisions and an instrument supposedly used for the removal of stones from the urethra or the urinary bladder. Medical cups, usually made of copper, were heated and then applied on the patients’ body, causing haematosis of the skin. Cups were used for treating various diseases, such as headaches, neuralgies, arthritic and rheumatic illnesses, spasms of the muscles etc.
Unit of the Educational Material connected (2 - 1)
Label
It was found in `1877 in the Asclepieion of Athens and is dated around 320 BC. The dimensions of the base are 34x44x38 cm. It is currently held at the Acropolis Museum (item no 1378)