Naming Pathology from Antiquity to the Early Modern Period

edited by Alessandra Foscati and Michele Goyens

Book cover: Naming Pathology from Antiquity to the Early Modern Period

Extent: 320 pages

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Subjects: Early Modern & Renaissance Studies, Earth & Life Sciences , Medicine

Series: Lectio

Series volume number: 20

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(March 2026)

ISBN: 9782503620114

Price: $132.00

In stock

This book analyses the constitution of the lexicon of pathology from antiquity to the early modern period, revealing continuity and change in the perception, representation and theoretic paradigm of the disease lexicon, in a wide range of cultural contexts (Greek, Latin, Arabic and the vernacular)


This collection of contributions from international scholars offers a cross-language and multi-period analysis dedicated to the constitution of the lexicon of pathology between the Middle Ages and the early modern period. By analysing unpublished texts and studying sources written in different languages (Greek, Latin, Arabic and different vernaculars), the authors demonstrate that the pathological terminology of the past did not have an unambiguous meaning and therefore, to be understood, must be historicized and evaluated according to sources and context. The volume offers the reader the possibility of observing continuity and change in the perception, representation and theoretic paradigm of the disease lexicon, in a wide range of cultural contexts.

  • Edited by Michele Goyens
  • Edited by Alessandra Foscati