Reflections from Gods to Medicine in Egyptian Mythology

Year 2022, Volume: 12 Issue: 3, 438 - 449, 30.09.2022

Selda Yıldız , Vahide Korkmaz

https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1113921

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it is aimed to evaluate what is reflected from ancient Egyptian mythology to today's medicine.
Methods: 01.01-01.03.2022 literature review for Egyptian mythology; Made from databases of PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Library Genesis, Springer, Jstor Ebsco, ProQuest, Social Sciences Index Retrospective, National Geographic Magazine, medical and anatomical history books. In addition, research was conducted in the digital libraries of the National Library, HuthiTrust, Europeana Collections, Project Gutenberg, New York Library Digital Collections, Bibliotheques d'Orient.
Results: The Egyptians considered Ra, the maker of some medicines, Imhotep, the father of medicine, Thoth, the author of the Corpus Hermeticum. The mummification tradition is connected with Osiris. The fact that the calculation and symbolization done in the Eye of Horus agree with today's data is a great achievement for the field of neuroanatomy. In addition, the derivation of the “Rx” symbol used in prescriptions from this hieroglyph, and the fact that Horus' stay in the womb coincides with the 40-week gestation period are other findings. The double serpent entwined in Heka's staff is still a symbol of the medical profession. The cerebral hippocampus, now known as the horn of Ammon, is said to have derived its name from Ammon.
Conclusion: It is important and surprising that the experimental and evidence-based aspects of ancient Egyptian medicine, on the one hand, are intertwined with mythology, on the other hand, are quite advanced. This civilization still arouses interest with its rich medical heritage, which forms the basis of our day. 

Keywords

Ancient Egypt, Mythology, Medicine, Health

Mısır Mitolojisinde Tanrılardan Tıbba Yansıyanlar

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, eski Mısır mitolojisinden günümüz tıbbına nelerin yansıdığının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.
Yöntem: Mısır mitolojisi için 01.01-01.03.2022 literatür taraması; PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Library Genesis, Springer, Jstor Ebsco, ProQuest, Social Sciences Index Retrospective, National Geographic Magazine, medical and anatomical history books veri tabanlarından yapılmıştır. Ek olarak, Milli Kütüphane, HuthiTrust, Europeana Collections, Project Gutenberg, New York Kütüphanesi Dijital Koleksiyonları, Bibliotheques d’Orient dijital kütüphanelerinde de araştırma yapılmıştır.
Bulgular: Mısırlılarca Ra, bazı ilaçları yapan, Imhotep, tıbbın babası, Thoth, Corpus Hermeticum’u yazarı kabul edilmektedir. Mumyalama geleneği, Osiris ile bağlantılıdır. Horus'un Gözü’nde yapılan hesaplama ve sembolleştirmenin bugünkü verilerle uyuşması, nöroanatomi alanı için büyük bir başarıdır. Ayrıca, bu hiyerogliften, reçetelerde kullanılan “Rx” sembolünün türetilmesi, Horus’un anne karnında kalış süresinin 40 haftalık gebelik süresi ile örtüşmesi diğer bulgulardır. Heka’nın asasına dolanmış çift yılan, halen tıp mesleğinin sembolüdür. Günümüzde Ammon boynuzu adıyla anılan serebral hipokampüsün bu adı, Ammon’dan aldığı söylenmektedir.
Sonuç: Eski Mısır tıbbının, bir taraftan mitolojiyle iç içeyken diğer taraftan deneysel ve kanıta dayalı yönünün oldukça ileri olması önemli ve şaşırtıcıdır. Bu medeniyet, günümüze temel oluşturan zengin tıbbi mirasıyla halen ilgi uyandırmaktadır.

Keywords

Antik Mısır, Mitoloji, Tıp, Sağlık

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