THE (UN)HEALTHY POOR: WEALTH, POVERTY, MEDICINE AND HEALTH CARE IN THE GRECO-ROMAN WORLD

This article explores the connection between the theme ofwealth/poverty and medicine in Greco-Roman Antiquity. Specialattention is devoted to the changes implied by the transition towardsChristianity. The Church has played a fundamental role in thecreation of an organized system to assist the sick and needy throughthe establishment of ‘hospitals’. The socio-cultural impact of thistopic promotes an interdisciplinary approach based on literary,papyrological and archaeological evidence. In particular, Greekpapyri from Egypt provide original information on structures formedical care, philanthropic programs and charitable institutions inthe cities and villages of the Egyptian chora