De viribus herbarum o właściwościach ziół

Abstrakt

De viribus herbarum Properties of plants

A hexametrical, anonymous fragment of the didactic poem written in Greek, usually called De viribus herbarum II or III AD, contains a magic-medicinal lore concerning 16 plants. Almost each of the herbs has its divine patron who gathered it for the first time or discoverd — which in fact means “established” — its properties. That is the reason of the plants’ miraculous power. Each description of the herb contains common elements: the best time of gathering, names of the plant, a mythical history concerning it, its divine patrons and its magic-medicinal powers. The poetical fragment offers also a glimpse into fears of the ancient Greeks concerning believes in the evil eye and harmful demons. It provides many descriptions of medical or homeopathic treatments as well.