Abstract
Abstract The article discusses the impact of different ideas on epidemic, endemic, and pandemic diseases in antiquity, concentrating on the times of the New Testament and the early church. Different explanations of diseases coexist and to some degree compete: Diseases are sent by God for punishment and admonition, caused by demons or magic, and in ancient medicine caused by strictly natural factors. Contrary to a common cliché, divine punishing is only a minor idea in reflections on disease, and natural causes are generally taken for granted. A demonological interpretation understands disease as something that is fought by Jesus and also by other charismatic healers in ancient Christianity. In this respect, early Christianity can be called a healing movement.
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