Caesar remained free of seizures – BBC

Julius Caesar suffered from minor strokes, epilepsy and he attributed to deify, scientists believe.

Epilepsy – one of the oldest diseases related to that, depending on the country and time, much has changed. In Christianity, to seizures treated as God’s penalty, sent down the worst sinners and criminals. Epileptics humiliated and oppressed. Oppression lasted quite a long time: in the UK only in 1970 was repealed a law banning citizens affected by this disease, to marry. Now, many countries do not allow epileptics drive and limit access to many professions.

In Russian citizens suffering from stroke, can not work in the field of teaching or health care.

But the ancient Greeks and Romans, for example, the disease was considered a sacred gift and explains its appearance of “divine intervention.” Epileptics appointed priests, to treat them with awe and respect. The fact that many great personalities – Socrates, Plato, Empedocles, Pliny, Caligula – suffered from seizures, has created a theory about the election and the genius of all affected by this disease.

Among epileptics traditionally carry and Roman commander Gaius Julius Caesar. However, according to a new study by experts from Imperial College London, the legendary dictator did not suffer from sudden epileptic seizures, and from transistor ischemic attack, also known as mini stroke or mini-stroke. Microstroke – a transient ischemic attack, lasting from a few seconds up to 24 hours.

Doctors explain that a mini-stroke – is the same stroke, only affects the small blood vessels of the brain. Therefore, violation of unobtrusive, and recovery is quick.

The conclusion that Caesar was not epileptic, researchers have made on the basis of evidence about the health of a statesman.

The text of the study by British scientists can be found on the website Neurological Sciences .

As noted by biographers, by the end of the life of the commander began to suffer from depression and nightmares, and his personality began to change. Usually transistor ischemic attack that affects the brain of the patient, it leads to such consequences. In addition, signs of the disease have been found in the Roman consul in adulthood – the risk microstroke just increased to 35 years, while the symptoms of epilepsy seen since childhood.

The researchers believe that the great commander disease is inherited father and great-grandfather of Gaius Julius Caesar also suffered from minor strokes, both of them died due to the disease.

According to the scientists, no exercise, which served as commander, and strict diet could not resist genetics and defeat the disease.

The British researchers also argue that because of assumptions about epilepsy as a “sacred disease” Octavian Augustus, Caesar’s heir, claimed that the dead ruler was struck by “respectable” disease. Greek philosopher Plutarch wrote that the consul was suffering from headaches and seizures, the first of which happened to him in Korduba. Also biographer pointed out that during the negotiations Caesar twice had an epileptic attacks.

In the second scene of the second act of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” is the following quatrain: “Then he fainted and fell. He fell to the marketplace. He started frothing at the mouth. He was silent ».

Modern researchers have a variety of assumptions about the nature of seizures in Gaius Julius Caesar. Prevalent theory that the commander had a brain tumor – glioma or meningioma. Other hypotheses suggest that the great Roman suffered from neurosyphilis caused by sexually active, arteriosclerosis and even deafness in one ear. Some scientists and did express the view that the brain Caesar was struck larvae and eggs pork tapeworm.