Facial Scars in the Greek Papyri

Abstract

Abstract The indication of the location of a scar or scars on various parts of a body was used for the identification of persons in a large number of Greek non-literary documents. Facial scars were mentioned most frequently, obviously because they were the most distinguishing feature of the parts of the body that were not usually covered, and one could observe and record them immediately. However, the exact shape and form of these scars was not described, and only the general term “scar” was used. Various diseases and accidental wounds can be understood as having left permanent scars on the body, but mainly, and more specifically, on the head.