The fatal disease of Galerius Maximian

I think it’s very possible that this was a real medical condition—an ulcer, as the medical journal suggests. But as Doug has implied, I wonder if the Christian Eusebius is embellishing the details (esp. the worms bit). Believe it or not, I’ve researched and written a bit about evisceration tropes. (I have a lot of free time.) Thomas D. Hill has demonstrated that evisceration in medieval literature is associated with “the punishment of heretics, apostates, and traitors.” Hill cites, inter alia, the disembowelment of Bróðir in Brennu-Njáls Saga, the similar grisly death of the heretic Arius, Dante’s representation of Mohammed in Inferno 28.21-63, the bursting bowels of Error’s children in Spenser’s Fairie Queene 1.26, and of course, the death of Judas in Acts 1:18. See Thomas D. Hill, “The Evisceration of Bróðir in Brennu-Njáls Saga,” Traditio 37 (1981), 437-444, at 443.

Galerius’s death also resembles the fate of what Robert Mills has termed “abject anti-bodies” in hagiographical narratives–bodies marked by “corporeal destructibility and distance from the sublime.”In other words, it’s sort of the opposite of the way a saint might die, to prove a point about opposing the Christian God. Compare the way Herod dies—eaten by worms: “20Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Their country depended on the king's country for food, so they came to him with a united front to make peace —they'd been able to win over Blastus, the king's personal aide. 21On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and made a speech to them. 22The people shouted, 'The voice of God, and not of a man!' 23Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory. He was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:20-23).” Josephus adds that Herod had “gangrene of the private parts.” So genital/anal gangrene and worms. An awful lot like Galerius.

So yes, an ulcer, maybe. But I also think Eusebius is making Galerius look like a modern-day Herod. The message might be that one opposes Christianity at one’s own risk.

 

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By the way, here's a Russian Orthodox depiction of Arius dying in the privy. The artist seems to envision the death of this heretic as a spontaneous disembowelment of sorts.

Beware: This can happen to you if you don't get enough fiber.

 

Interesting! We're lucky to live when we do as far as medical treatment goes aren't we? It's also pretty amazing some of the stuff ancient cultures figured out.

Here are a couple of books about ancient medicine I'd endorse for those interested.

The Healing Hand: Man and Wound in the Ancient World.

I loved this books, coins even make a few appearances. You can get one shipped to you for under 10 bucks. Oldie but goodie.

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Hand...1506907213&sr=8-5&keywords=healing+hand+wound

Man and Wound in the Acient World.

Focuses on military medicine. The author makes a case a wounded soldier had a better chance of surviving if he was treated by a good Roman military medic than anyone until the later part of the 19th century. Also cheap!

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Wound-An...1&keywords=man+and+wound+in+the+ancient+world

Here's my favorite coin of Galerius!

 

Yes, well, this story is one of the best from ancient Rome in my opinion, and I think quite likely very accurate when one examines it logically (even with the typical and expected embellishments from surviving accounts).

The situation is well documented throughout history (and understood with modern medicine): an injury occurs, a wound festers. Things get worse, the victim dies.

That is the basic formula and many would attempt to identify many diseases and or injuries that might lead to the death of Galerius, but of course nobody will ever know or likely come close to understanding.

Most likely Galerius suffered an injury in which gangrene became a problem. Such situations could (and are documented) extend into decades.

Henry 8th (as a result of his many jousting injuries) is known to have suffered for many years and it is said he could be smelled long before he could be seen.

I am sure Galerius was not much different. As for the fanciful story about 'worms', it is actually likely to be very true. In ancient times maggots were allowed to 'fester' so as to eliminate dead tissue. This practice (while perhaps disgusting) has been used throughout history and even now, in modern times.

I can only surmise that the conditions which Galerius suffered were not much different than Henry (though certainly no so prolonged as the hapless English King).

 

I work at a hospice and still get surprised what some people pass away from in modern times.

Very

My local hospital, a teaching hospital, uses leaches. Not sure if the use maggot therapy, but I know many facilities offer it.

 

Excellent thread and article, @jamesicus!
When I was a medical student at the College, I followed two cases of Fournier's fasciitis. Trust me, the old writers did not overdo it. I remember until today the stench by infesting the ER environment. One of them, an elderly diabetic, died even with proper treatment. I saw with my eyes what these ancient chroniclers described more than 1800 years ago. As much as we believe in the tendency of exaggeration, much exacerbated by the mystical and religious issues, they generally hit, just as Bocaccio described the Black Death at the beginning of the Decameron. Fantastic!

 

(To be read in a Paul Harvey voice) ...

And now ... the rest of the story!

On his deathbed, Galerius ...



... commended his wife, Galeria Valeria ...



... the daughter of Diocletian ...



... to the care of his friend, Licinius ...



... who had been raised to imperial rank at Carnantum. But the widowed empress didn't trust Licinius, and instead fled to the eastern court of Maximinus II (Daia) ...



... her late husband's nephew. Maximinus proposed marriage to her (his aunt) in 312, but when she refused him, he seized all her property and banished her to Syria, where she remained until Maximinus was defeated by Licinius the following year.

But Licinius never forgave Galeria Valeria for not trusting him two years previously and condemned her to death. She went into hiding for 15 months, but was ultimately captured and executed.

 

Great stuff @Roman Collector -- thanks for posting that!

 

Thank you for that illuminating contribution @Multatuli

 

Poor man. Not a good way to go

 

What a great thread. I really enjoy the thought and insight that people share here in the Ancients sub-forum. Always an education. (By contrast, I've tried to start threads in other sub-forums and have gotten very little response.)

I appreciate the skepticism that people here have when assessing the ancient sources.

I enjoyed the article "The Fatal Disease of Emperor Galerius' Death" and its extensive differential diagnosis.

Fournier gangrene can be malodorous, indeed. It could kill rather quickly without antibiotic therapy, however, once open sores developed. It would be unlikely that there would be enough time for infestation by "worms" to develop, especially in the typical patient with Fournier gangrene who has an underlying serious medical condition such as poorly controlled diabetes.

As described in the article, Galerius had this condition for "months." I find, therefore, Fournier gangrene very unlikely.

As mentioned above, another possibility could be an injury (presumably from battle) that became necrotic and gangrenous. But an injury from battle is undocumented by the ancient sources.

Carcinomas can be slower to kill, however. Any carcinoma with local extension or metastasis to the skin could cause malodorous necrotic skin ulcers. The patient, especially if otherwise healthy, could potentially linger long enough for the skin ulcers to attract infestation.

Given the description of a 50 y/o man with these clinical findings, I would favor colon cancer. Colon cancer is also far more common that Fournier gangrene (which is very rare).

Below is a picture of Caesar Rodney from Delaware, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He wore bandages on his face during the convention to cover the numerous necrotic skin carcinomas on his face. These were possibly malodorous and susceptible to maggot infestation:


(From HBO movie "John Adams")

I don't want to hijack this marvelous thread, however, so I won't continue with my pedantic drivel.

Thank you, again, for this post and I appreciate the healthy skepticism when reading ancient accounts.



Above is my favorite "cheerful skeptic," Scotsman David Hume (1711-1776).


g.

 

Thank you for posting that @Bart9349. I totally agree with you.

Thank you for that detailed explanation of something I had not completely understood.

One of my favorite skeptics also -- It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom. David Hume

 

Bad way to go indeed, informative though.