Antonius Musa

The father of our doctor Antonius Musa.

"Augustus' private physician, Antonius Musa, who had pulled him through a serious illness, was honoured with a statue, bought by public subscription and set up besides Aesculapius'."

Suetonius. Life of Augustus Chapter: 59

"He (Caesar Augustus) was reduced to such a method of cure: for warm applications having no effect, Antonius Musa directed the use of those which were cold."

Suetonius. Life of Augustus Chapter: 81

" And although he lost the power of attending even to the most urgent matters, yet a certain Antonius Musa restored him to by of cold baths and potions. For this, Musa received a great deal of money from both Augustus and the Senate, as well as the right to wear gold rings (for he was a freedman), and he was granted exemption from taxes, both for himself and for the members of his profession, not only those living at the time but also those of future generations."

Cassius Dio. LIII.30

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Bathing and Medicine.

Bathing as with the exercise that accompanied it was an important part of ancient medicine. Ancient medicine was mainly preventative in style, being designed to treat and maintain the healthy body. A doctor would recommend exercise and a proper diet, with bathing sometimes playing a highly important role.

Antonius Musa when treating Augustus with cold water baths followed the work of Asclepiades of Prusa. Asclepiades was a Greek physician who worked in Rome at the end of the second century BC. In his treatment Asclepiades believed in diet exercise and baths - especially in cold water. A later medical writer, Celsus, was also a follower of Asclepiades, however he believed in the benefits of hot bathing.

(For further information on the use of bathing in medicine, see Yegul, 1992)

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