Ancient medical texts from Mesopotamia reveal the role of religion in healing. A study published in the journal Iraq found that in some cases, patients were referred not only to medicine but also to shrines – what modern scientists call psychological support or “finding luck”.
A team led by Dr. Troels Arbell analyzed cuneiform tablets from the 1st and 2nd millennium BC containing medical prescriptions. A total of six texts were studied, most of which were devoted to diseases of the ear and one to diseases of the spleen and pancreas. It is in these cases that recipes often mention the need to visit sanctuaries in an unusual way.
This is especially notable because, in general, Mesopotamian medicine was very practical and rarely included religious prescriptions. However, diseases of the ears and some internal organs were for some reason considered to require additional appeals to the gods. The reasons for this choice are not entirely clear: perhaps the ears were associated with the perception of divine wisdom, or these diseases were considered potentially dangerous and difficult to cure.
The texts mention pantheons of various gods, including Sin, Ninurta, Shamash, Ishtar, and Marduk. It is said that the patient can also turn to the family altar. Judging by archaeological data, rituals, prayers and offerings were performed in the temples. In particular, in the temple dedicated to the goddess of healing Gula, small votive statues were found, perhaps left by sick people in the hope of recovery.
The authors concluded that such practices should have strengthened patients' confidence in the success of treatment. It is curious that in all the texts studied, “the sixth day” is considered to have special significance for healing. However, it remains unclear whether this is a specific day to go to the temple or a symbolic time when patients are said to “pray for good luck” along with taking medicine.
