Introduction

The earliest mention of a prosthesis in Graeco-Roman literature can be found in Pindar’s retelling of the myth of Pelops in the first Olympian Ode. Even though Pelops’ prosthesis is mythological rather than historical, it offers us a suitable starting point for an examination of prostheses in classical antiquity, broadly defined. Many of the aspects of ancient prostheses, prosthesis use and prosthesis users are presented. Ancient paintings of Pelops include the prosthesis and make a feature of it. This introduction also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses primarily on prostheses as material objects and considers their role (or roles) in the cultures and societies of classical antiquity. It examines the two types of prosthesis that are most frequently attested in ancient literary, documentary, archaeological and bioarchaeological evidence: teeth and hair.