About

This two-day conference, hosted by the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta in collaboration with various international institutions, will explore the therapeutic power of speech and writing in ancient medicine. Just as communication remains central to modern healthcare, ancient healers recognized the crucial role of words in diagnosis, persuasion, and treatment. From the magical incantations of early practitioners to the rhetorical strategies of Hippocratic physicians and the extensive writings of Galen, the conference will examine how speech and text functioned as tools for healing, learning, and medical debate.

Bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines, the event aims to illuminate the physiological and psychological effects of language in medical discourse, literary texts, and philosophical thought. Discussions will also extend to broader cultural perspectives and explore the health implications of various genres of literature (e.g., laughter therapy and comedy; gymnastics and physiotherapy). By bridging medical, literary, and rhetorical traditions, this conference seeks to deepen our understanding of the healing word in the ancient world and its enduring relevance today.