A Contribution to Better Understand the Therapeutic Incubatory Rituals Within the Greek Antiquity

Abstract

In this paper the whole historical, structural, and psychological aspects of the incubatory rituals practiced within the Asklepieia1 will be deep-in examinated. The paper will start with an introductory remark on Hellenic incubation practice (1) to then move on to sequence and analyze the rituals associated with the cult considered (2) to highlight the state of mind they sought to induce in sufferers. Section (3) will be mostly focused on the connection between the ancient medi- cine and dreams, whilst the following section (4) analyzes a possible direct connection between theater and the dreaming world. Then, through comparison with a present-day incubatory cult (5) and the contribution derived from some modern psychological theories (6), we will try to formulate a plausible hypothesis (7) about the functional properties of such liturgies with reference to their ability to mobilize the deep energies of pilgrims, aimed at achieving healing from the physical and psycho-physical ills that afflicted them or at solving other pressing problems2.