An Approach to the Study of the Female Breast in Ancient and Early Medieval Latin Medical Texts

Abstract

  The present contribution addresses diverse aspects related to the female breast in Latin medical texts from Late Antiquity to early Middle Ages. The study begins considering different ways of referring to the female breast that are mainly related to its nutritional role. We also highlight certain passages which denote an erotic and aesthetic perspective. Particular attention is paid to texts which describe the appearance of the ideal wet nurse’s breast and its relationship with the womb. This particular aspect unravels breasts as exponents of diverse biological processes such as puberty, pregnancy and the production of milk. Finally, we analyze pathological questions, basically focused on breast cancer.