Inspired by a recent viewing of one of the worst movies ever made, Oliver Stone's Alexander, I was reading on Alexander's life and the theories he had scoliosis, which is why he was often shown looking up and away. This may have contributed to his death. The scholarship on this seems to be in journals that require subscriptions. Has anyone read the scholarship on this able to provide an outline of level of support and how severe the deformity (if it existed) was?
Quote from: alfred russel on April 26, 2009, 05:52:51 PM
Inspired by a recent viewing of one of the worst movies ever made, Oliver Stone's Alexander, I was reading on Alexander's life and the theories he had scoliosis, which is why he was often shown looking up and away. This may have contributed to his death. The scholarship on this seems to be in journals that require subscriptions. Has anyone read the scholarship on this able to provide an outline of level of support and how severe the deformity (if it existed) was?
What journal is it? I have Athens access and might be able to grab an article.
Quote from: Warspite on April 26, 2009, 06:25:15 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 26, 2009, 05:52:51 PM
Inspired by a recent viewing of one of the worst movies ever made, Oliver Stone's Alexander, I was reading on Alexander's life and the theories he had scoliosis, which is why he was often shown looking up and away. This may have contributed to his death. The scholarship on this seems to be in journals that require subscriptions. Has anyone read the scholarship on this able to provide an outline of level of support and how severe the deformity (if it existed) was?
What journal is it? I have Athens access and might be able to grab an article.
Here is one article: The death of Alexander the Great--a spinal twist of fate
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15370319
But if you search that site, there seems to be a number on the topic of what killed him.
do they have a body, or do just look at a limited range of sculptures and mosaics that reflect broader artistic concerns then medical students can understand?
how does this square with written accounts? can someone with a deformed spine ride a horse, wear heavy armor, and kill in combat? or does the degeneration happen quickly?
yea, I ask questions. :P
a very interesting historical cripple was the viking Ivar the Boneless. sources comment on his condition, without being explicit about it.
I had a girlfriend with scoliosis. It didn't impede anything at all...
Quote from: saskganesh on April 26, 2009, 06:49:49 PM
do they have a body, or do just look at a limited range of sculptures and mosaics that reflect broader artistic concerns then medical students can understand?
how does this square with written accounts? can someone with a deformed spine ride a horse, wear heavy armor, and kill in combat? or does the degeneration happen quickly?
yea, I ask questions. :P
a very interesting historical cripple was the viking Ivar the Boneless. sources comment on his condition, without being explicit about it.
That are the questions behind why I posted the thread--I don't know the answers but this group seems to know a lot of ancient history so I thought someone might know.
But did he have: dysthymia?
More importantly, was he really gay?
Quote from: Siege on April 26, 2009, 11:23:27 PM
More importantly, was he really gay?
Bisexual, with male leanings.
Is that a fact or a modern gay-oriented revision?
Quote from: Siege on April 26, 2009, 11:35:47 PM
Is that a fact or a modern gay-oriented revision?
Well, with scoliosis, he clearly wasn't "straight".
:P
ouch.
@ MIM, could your GF ride a horse, wear heavy armor and kill people in hand to hand combat? :D
I'll accept a broken nose...
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ancientsculpturegallery.com%2Fsitebuilder%2Fimages%2F435-313x600.jpg&hash=8693ea6d4c9868cd3a5103feb74a2e5866fde0df) (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ancientsculpturegallery.com%2Fsitebuilder%2Fimages%2F435a-314x600.jpg&hash=6a2215bf73b70ef857107930fc0348ecbcbd5dcb)
coinage, looks manic/sad.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_l4cIVPitpyo%2FSaWROY582SI%2FAAAAAAAAAU4%2FIyRvUzK4YYU%2Fs400%2Falexander%2Bthe%2Bgreat.jpg&hash=b31241b0f09a72d64b9f2924e201a093b8e6ec09)
curvature?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ancientsculpturegallery.com%2Fimages%2F2532.jpg&hash=7fcf36393745686a7ad59fb6133f6b8f1cf9756c)
The Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt founded by Alexander's general had a very similar bug-eyed look which was thought to come from a hereditary condition (amplified by inbreeding). Might have been something common in a certain class in Macedonia?
What is it with Greek statues and tiny willys....
artistic conceit. many find "growers" are more impressive specimens.
Quote from: Tyr on April 27, 2009, 08:15:52 AM
What is it with Greek statues and tiny willys....
Large ones are associated with uncontrollable excess. Bacchus and satyrs and the like.
Quote from: Tyr on April 27, 2009, 08:15:52 AM
What is it with Greek statues and tiny willys....
It's all you need for shagging pubescent boys.