Disease-spirits and divine cures among the Greeks and Romans

Published in 1921, this scholarly work by Cesidio R. Simboli emerged from an era of intensive study into the intersection of classical religion, medicine, and anthropology. The text serves as an exploration of the ancient Mediterranean perspective on health and illness, examining how Greek and Roman societies often attributed maladies to divine or supernatural influence, which in turn necessitated religious, rather than purely empirical, remedies.

The book originated from Simboli's academic research at Columbia University, where he served as a fellow. It represents a specialized contribution to early twentieth-century classical studies, intended for an audience of academics and historians interested in the cultural history of medicine. While not a widely distributed mass-market title, it remains a documented reference point for those studying the evolution of therapeutic practices and spiritual belief systems in antiquity.