"Breaking the power of illness with melodies and music ...?" Music and medicine in antiquity

Contributors

Program

We cordially invite you to the sixth evening in the "musik + wissen" series of events organized by the Freiburg Research and Teaching Centre for Music(FZM). Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Leven from the Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, will speak on the topic "Breaking the power of illness with melodies and music ...?" Music and medicine in antiquity:

The "art of music" (Greek mousike techne) of antiquity included instrumental music, song, dance and poetry. In analogy to the processes in the body, the theory of harmony, based on a numerical order, provided a model for music; in education, in analogy to physical training through gymnastics, it was of particular importance for the development of the soul, as set out in Plato's and Aristotle's theories of the state. In addition to its analogous function, music also had a practical side for ancient medicine; there were magical incantations for the treatment of wounds and illnesses. Songs played a role in the operation of the sanctuaries of Asclepius. In natural hippocratic-galenic medicine, music as a therapeutic agent to influence the body via the soul was controversial and generally remained marginal.

In keeping with Karl-Heinz Leven's theme, "musik + wissen" is taking place for the first time in the Archaeological Collection of the University campus Freiburg. It is located in the so-called Herder building and can be accessed via Habsburgerstr. 114/116 (streetcar stop Tennenbacher Straße). The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Afterwards there will be an opportunity for a toast and a personal exchange. We look forward to seeing you there!