Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Classics

Supervisor

Greene, Elizabeth M.

Abstract

In this thesis, I undertake an examination of foot care practices in Antiquity. The majority of the discussion surrounding foot care comes from evidence of shoe modifications at Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort located in northern Britain. I provide a general discussion about herbal and non-herbal remedies for foot conditions, as recorded by medical authors. This discussion precedes a case study of selected shoes from Vindolanda, where I write about five modification types that demonstrate the sort of knowledge that existed at Vindolanda. The findings from this thesis suggest that podiatric knowledge and foot care existed as early as the Roman period, which is much earlier than previously thought. By studying a selection of shoes from this assemblage, I seek to add to the knowledge we already possess concerning foot health in Antiquity. While medical authors (Galen, Hippocrates, Celsus) did write about common foot concerns, evidence of shoe modifications at Vindolanda suggests that there was more known about treating foot conditions than was recorded in writing.

Summary for Lay Audience

In this thesis, I examine foot care practices in Antiquity. Most of the discussion surrounding foot care comes from evidence of shoe modifications at Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary (military) fort located in northern Britain. I provide a general discussion about herbal and non-herbal remedies for foot conditions, as written by medical authors. This discussion comes before a case study of selected shoes from Vindolanda, where I write about five categories of shoe alterations that demonstrate the sort of knowledge that existed within the community at Vindolanda. The findings from this thesis suggest that knowledge of treatment for foot conditions and care existed as early as the Roman period, which is much earlier than previously thought. By studying a selection of shoes from this assemblage, I seek to extend the knowledge we already possess concerning foot health in Antiquity. While medical authors (Galen, Hippocrates, Celsus) did write about common foot concerns, evidence of shoe modifications at Vindolanda suggests that there was more known about treating foot conditions than their texts record.

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