STIMOLA CURIOSITA’, PASSIONE E CORAGGIO
VisualLens - Investigating Eye Conditions, Visual Impairment, and Blindness in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt through the Lens of the Papyri
Avviso 247/22 - Avviso pubblico per la presentazione di proposte progettuali da parte di giovani ricercatori da finanziare nell’ambito del PNRR - Missione 4 “Istruzione e Ricerca” - Componente 2 “Dalla Ricerca all'Impresa” - Investimento 1.2 “Finanziamento di progetti presentati da giovani ricercatori” Finanziato dall’Unione Europea – NextGenerationEU CUP G23C22002720007
Abstract
VisualLens aims to carry out the first comprehensive and accurate study of eye diseases, eye injuries, visual impairments, and blindness, of the surgical, pharmacological, and “alternative” treatments, as well as of the numerous accounts about the living conditions of people affected by eye problems, which are attested in the Greek and Latin papyri from Hellenistic and Roman Egypt (ca. third century BCE-seventh century CE). As firsthand witnesses of the reality of the time, Greek and Latin papyri represent a unique source to investigate several aspects of ancient history, culture, and society. The group of Greek and Latin papyri concerned with eye health issues (ca. 300) has not yet been thoroughly studied. By analyzing this body of evidence, VisualLens aims to pursue the following objectives: 1) analyze the ancient medical terminology employed in the papyri to describe eye diseases and impairments in order to assess and map the types of eye conditions attested for Hellenistic and Roman Egypt; 2) determine how ancient individuals attempted to prevent or cure eye conditions; 3) investigate the impact of eye conditions and impairments on the living quality of individuals and their repercussions on social relations; 4) examine the situation of eye healthcare in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt in the light of its historical and socio-cultural context, taking into account also the research data available from Egyptian medicine studies (esp. Demotic and Coptic). In order to fulfill its objectives, VisualLens will adopt an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging in particular the dialogue with disciplines in the Life Sciences and Digital Humanities. Research will be carried out at the Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici e del Patrimonio Culturale (DIUM) at Università degli Studi di Udine (Uniud).
Importo del progetto
Finanziamento: euro 150.000
Durata
· 15/12/2022
· 14/12/2025
Link
https://dium.uniud.it/en/ricerca/progetti-corso/ricezione-memoria-storia-del-pensiero-e-della-societa/investigating-eye-conditions-visual-impairment-and-blindness/
Referente
prof.ssa Azzarello Giuseppina