Mental di̇seases i̇n Anci̇ent Greece and Rome through archeologi̇cal evi̇dence and Anci̇ent hi̇stori̇cal records

The aim of this "thesis is to examine the spiritual diseases (discomfort, disorder, syndromes) in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations in the light of ancient sources (philosophical, medical, literary texts, beliefs, mythological stories) and as archaeological (inscriptions, figurines, ceramic vases). Although there have been many studies on biological diseases in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, there has not been an adequate archaeological research on mental illnesses which are a part of humanity. The reason for this is the fact that no direct source has been reached from the antiquity to the present and that mental illnesses are abstract. The subject studied is human in origin. Therefore, in order to understand the human mind structure, it is necessary to enter common boundaries in the sciences such as Archeology, Medicine, Psychology, Mythology and Religion While preparing this thesis, ancient sources were examined in detail, archaeological evidence was investigated and modern sources were utilized. According to the results, the thesis is composed of 3 main sections. In the first part, the origin of mental illnesses and their relationship with beliefs are examined. Mythological stories were examined and diagnosed in the light of current psychology criteria. In the second part, the samples selected as archaeological material are examined and the material relation with the subject is tried to be established. In the last section, the methods used in the treatment of mental diseases are mentioned. This study adds a new perspective in order to better understand the people and societies who lived in ancient times and to present them as material.