Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

An expanding collection of inscriptions, papyri, and other sources in translation (run by Philip A. Harland)

Funerary Bust of Asiatikos Physician of the Method and Leader (75-125 CE) Smyrna - Ionia


Smyrna (Ionia, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), I CE
ISmyrna 537 = CIG 3283 = SEG 28 (1978), no. 886 = PHI 255164 = AGRW ID# 24357


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Bust of white marble discovered at Smyrna around 1687 (52 x 22 cm). Now in la Bibliothèque nationale de France (inv.57.5; see http://medaillesetantiques.bnf.fr/ws/catalogue/app/collection/record/ark:/12148/c33gbhcdm). The inscription is inscribed on the chest of the bust. This is a funerary bust of a physician that identifies with the "method", namely the so-called "Methodist" or "Methodical" school of medicine. The reference to him being a leader may entail leadership of an association, perhaps of physicians. But this is not certain.

Farewell, physician (iatros) of the method, Asiatikos, leader (or: patron; prostatēs), often suffering bravely with heart and often miserable.  Marcus Modius Asiatikos, methodical physician (iatros).

Translation by: Harland



ἰητὴρ μεθόδου, Ἀσιατικέ, προστάτα, | χαῖρε | πολλὰ μὲν ἐσθλὰ παθὼν | φρεσί, πολλὰ δὲ λυγρά. || Μ(ᾶρκος) Μόδιος Ἀσιατικός | ἰατρὸς μεθοδικός.

Asiaticus (full bust). Photo from la Bibliothèque nationale de France (http://medaillesetantiques.bnf.fr/ws/catalogue/app/collection/record/ark:/12148/c33gbhcdm)

Asiaticus (full bust). Photo from la Bibliothèque nationale de France (http://medaillesetantiques.bnf.fr/ws/catalogue/app/collection/record/ark:/12148/c33gbhcdm)

Smyrna Astiacus (inscription) inv.57.5-06

Asiaticus (inscription only). Photo from la Bibliothèque nationale de France (http://medaillesetantiques.bnf.fr/ws/catalogue/app/collection/record/ark:/12148/c33gbhcdm)

L0057259 Plaster replica of a Roman bust shows Marcus Modius Asiaticu Credit: Science Museum, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org Plaster replica of a Roman bust shows Marcus Modius Asiaticus, Roman, 2nd century AD. Black background. 3/4 angle. Published: - Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Plaster replica of the bust of Marcus Modius Asiaticus
From Wellcome Images (used under a Creative Commons license).

 

Item added: March 2, 2017
Item modified: March 2, 2017
ID number: 24357
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=24357

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