Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a religious and autobiographical record by the second-century sophist Aelius Aristides, chronicling the dream revelations he received from the god of healing, Asclepius, and his own physical struggles. The narrative begins with the author’s severe illness after returning from Italy, prompting him to record the divine dreams and instructions he received. As Aristides travels through various locations such as Smyrna, Pergamon, and Rome, he repeatedly faces life-threatening hardships, including violent storms at sea and plagues. In response to his suffering, the god prescribes seemingly hazardous treatments, such as cold-water bathing in freezing temperatures, phlebotomy (bloodletting), and mud therapy. Despite the skepticism and concern of those around him, Aristides faithfully executes these demanding divine commands, experiencing miraculous recoveries and spiritual ecstasy. Ultimately, the work vividly depicts a man's journey of enduring physical torment while experiencing the intimate presence and profound grace of the divine.