Professor Laurence Totelin: Botany and Pharmacology Artwork

The Sustainable Past

In this podcast series, created specifically for the Italian Cultural Institute, London, Drs. Patty Baker and Giacomo Savani explore what we can learn from the ancient Romans and Greeks to help with environmental sustainability issues today. Environmental concerns are of critical importance for ourselves, future generations, and all life on our delicate planet. There are many scientific studies and activist groups that are trying to correct the situation; yet, it is only recently that scholars in the humanities have started to contribute to these discussions. So, we speak with leading scholars, embedded in the arts and humanities of the ancient world, who explore what we can do to help revert this crisis. A theme that runs throughout the interviews is one of resilience. Each speaker also explains their personal view of what we can learn from the past to help make the world more sustainable for the future. Artwork: Untitled by Dr. Giacomo SavaniMusic:played by Daniel Veesey Sonata 8 Pathetique III Rondo Allegro, BeethovenRoyalty Free for public use from Pixabay Pixabay

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The Sustainable Past

Professor Laurence Totelin: Botany and Pharmacology

September 13, 2022 • Patricia Baker and Giacomo Savani • Season 2 • Episode 2

This week, we hear from Professor Laurence Totelin, who is a specialist in ancient pharmacology and botany at the University of Cardiff, Wales. She is an historian of Greek and Roman Science, Technology, and Medicine and has published wildly on of ancient pharmacology, gynecology, botany and sensory studies. She is currently working on the history of pharmacological retail; the history of plant grafting; and the history of ancient cosmetics and sexual aids, such as aphrodisiacs. With Dr. Patty Baker and Professor Helen King, she helped create a MOOC Health and Wellbeing in the Ancient World.

In this episode, Professor Totelin speaks with us about ancient medicines, Greco-Roman classifications of pharmaceutical ingredients, and medical recipes.