Copper

Julie Laskaris, department chair and associate professor of classical studies, has researched how Copper, Element 29, was used in ancient Greek medicine.

“We know today that several of the metals in common use in Greek and Roman antiquity have powerful biocidal, styptic, and other healing properties that work with sufficient speed to be noticed easily. The most common of the ancient metallic medicines had such properties: gold, copper, silver, zinc, and antimony. Copper was the first metal to appear in an archaeological context, and it appears very frequently in medical texts.,” said Laskaris.

Contact Sunni Brown, director of media and public relations, at sbrown5@richmond.edu to connect with Laskaris.