Herrera, Spain – A unique archaeological find in Herrera, Seville, is offering a rare glimpse into the history of women in medicine within the Roman Empire. The Museum of Hygiene and Health in the History of Herrera displays the only known funerary stele dedicated to a female doctor, a young woman named Heliodora.
The 15-year-old Heliodora, honored with a greek inscription reading “Consecrated to the Gods Manes Heliodora, a doctor, pious to her people. May the earth be light to you,” served as an assistant to the physician overseeing the town’s Roman baths - facilities legally required to have medical personnel available. This revelation challenges conventional understandings of healthcare roles and life expectancy during that period, according to museum curator Alejandro Suárez.
The stele’s significance extends beyond its medical context. The museum itself provides a broader reflection on historical birthing practices and the local heritage of Herrera, including a recreated replica of the famed ‘Manolillo Arjona’ bar-a regional landmark-complete with a collection from the Paez Chía winery. the museum aims to connect the past with the present, offering visitors a thorough look at the region’s history and its evolving relationship with health and wellbeing.
