Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 5, 1990 TAG: 9004040159
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT RIVENBARK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
It was an era that saw the rise of philosophy and science, public literacy, the first historical writing, the creation of the theater and the rise of the Greek city-state.
David Brussell, a Radford University professor, will soon depart for Greece on a "Twilight of the Gods" expedition to study this fertile period in Greece's history.
"Twilight," sponsored by Southern Illinois University, has been an annual event since 1982. It draws scholars, students and others from all over the world.
Brussell, an ethnobotanist, will search for medicinal plants used in the Archaic period, a time that saw the rise of medicine and produced the world's first medical school on the island of Kos. Ethnobotany is the study of how people use plants for food and medicine, fiber, voodoo, building materials, art, weapons, musical instruments, shelter and the like, Brussell said.
He said discoveries by ethnobotanists have made major contributions to medicine - including two powerful chemotherapy drugs for treating cancer. Brussell said that on a past expedition to Halicarnassus he discovered mandrake plants, in ancient times one of the only known painkillers. "Mandrake produces a kind of twilight sleep, so the ancients used it quite a bit in surgery," he said. Because of its hallucinogenic qualities, witches also used it in their brews.
"Twilight" is not just a botanical outing, Brussell said. It draws students of English, theater, philosophy, biology, and archaeology - in fact, anyone interested in learning about the cultural roots of Western civilization.
Five universities - Radford, the University of Maryland, Southern Illinois, Sonoma State University and the Swedish Archeological Institute in Athens, Greece - will send research scholars this year.
The expedition begins in Athens, where participants will compare Archaic and classical views of life at the National Museum, the Acropolis and the Agora.
Then it's off to the Greek islands and the western coast of Turkey to visit ancient temple sites.
They also will get a taste of old Turkey when they visit the sultan's palace in Kushadashi.
The expedition includes a two-day yacht trip, during which the group will explore the origins of early biological theories by classifying sea creatures they collect while snorkeling.
Brussell said the expedition welcomes participants from a variety of backgrounds, including couples and senior citizens.
The program runs between May 26 and June 15 and costs $2,685.80, excluding air fare. A shorter two-week program costs $2,165.80.
For more information, contact Brussell in Radford at 831-6142.
by CNB