Les couleurs de la vue. Les propriétés thérapeutiques des couleurs dans l’ophtalmologie gréco-romaine

Abstract

The meaning of the names of Greek-Roman collyria is often confusing. Indeed, these names are generally neologisms known to us through a single handwritten or epigraphic occurrence. However, there is no doubt that several of these names have been chosen for their for their commercial value, as “ambrosial”, “inimitable” or “invincible”. Did the names of collyria evoking colours have the same value? By virtue of the principle of analogy that prevailed in ancient medical reasoning, were not green, white and yellow considered to be the active ingredients of certain ancient collyria?

Keywords

• collyrium
• stamp
• ophthalmology
• epigraphy
• chemical analyses
• colours