Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus, often Anglicized as Galen and better known as Galen of Pergamon was a prominent Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher in the Roman Empire. source
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus, often Anglicized as Galen and better known as Galen of Pergamon was a prominent Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher in the Roman Empire.
Galen’s medical doctrine dominated the Western and Arab worlds for close to 1500 years. source
Galen’s medical doctrine dominated the Western and Arab worlds for close to 1500 years.
Galen was born in the year 129 A.D. in the wealthy Greek city of Pergamon in the Eastern Roman Empire. source
Galen was born in the year 129 A.D. in the wealthy Greek city of Pergamon in the Eastern Roman Empire.
The son of Aelius Nicon, a wealthy architect with scholarly interests, Galen received a comprehensive education that prepared him for a successful career as a physician and philosopher. source
The son of Aelius Nicon, a wealthy architect with scholarly interests, Galen received a comprehensive education that prepared him for a successful career as a physician and philosopher.
Where Galen served prominent members of Roman society and eventually was given the position of personal physician to several emperors. source
Where Galen served prominent members of Roman society and eventually was given the position of personal physician to several emperors.
Galen's understanding of anatomy and medicine was principally influenced by the then-current theory of humorism, as advanced by ancient Greek physicians such as Hippocrates. source
Galen's understanding of anatomy and medicine was principally influenced by the then-current theory of humorism, as advanced by ancient Greek physicians such as Hippocrates.
Galen's anatomical reports, based mainly on dissection of monkeys, especially the Barbary macaque, and pigs, remained uncontested until 1543. source
Galen's anatomical reports, based mainly on dissection of monkeys, especially the Barbary macaque, and pigs, remained uncontested until 1543.
Galen's theory of the physiology of the circulatory system endured until 1628, when William Harvey published his treatise entitled De motu cordis. source
Galen's theory of the physiology of the circulatory system endured until 1628, when William Harvey published his treatise entitled De motu cordis.
Galen saw himself as both a physician and a philosopher, as he wrote in his treatise entitled that the Best Physician is Also a Philosopher. source
Galen saw himself as both a physician and a philosopher, as he wrote in his treatise entitled that the Best Physician is Also a Philosopher.
In the 1530s, Belgian anatomist and physician Andreas Vesalius took on a project to translate many of Galen's Greek texts into Latin. source
In the 1530s, Belgian anatomist and physician Andreas Vesalius took on a project to translate many of Galen's Greek texts into Latin.
Galen's father, Aelius Nicon, was a wealthy patrician, an architect and builder, with eclectic interests including philosophy, mathematics, logic, astronomy, agriculture and literature. source
Galen's father, Aelius Nicon, was a wealthy patrician, an architect and builder, with eclectic interests including philosophy, mathematics, logic, astronomy, agriculture and literature.
Galen describes his father as a "highly amiable, just, good and benevolent man". source
Galen describes his father as a "highly amiable, just, good and benevolent man".
In 148, when Galen was 19, his father died, leaving him independently wealthy. source
In 148, when Galen was 19, his father died, leaving him independently wealthy.
In 157, aged 28, Galen returned to Pergamon as physician to the gladiators of the High Priest of Asia, one of the most influential and wealthy men in Asia. source
In 157, aged 28, Galen returned to Pergamon as physician to the gladiators of the High Priest of Asia, one of the most influential and wealthy men in Asia.
Galen was the physician to Commodus for much of the emperor’s life and treated his common illnesses. source
Galen was the physician to Commodus for much of the emperor’s life and treated his common illnesses.
Galen notes that the exanthema covered the victim’s entire body and was usually black. source
Galen notes that the exanthema covered the victim’s entire body and was usually black.
Galen describes the symptoms of fever, vomiting, fetid breath, catarrh, cough, and ulceration of the larynx and trachea. source
Galen describes the symptoms of fever, vomiting, fetid breath, catarrh, cough, and ulceration of the larynx and trachea.
Galen’s principal interest was in human anatomy, but Roman law had prohibited the dissection of human cadavers since about 150 BC. source
Galen’s principal interest was in human anatomy, but Roman law had prohibited the dissection of human cadavers since about 150 BC.
In his work De motu musculorum, Galen explained the difference between motor and sensory nerves, discussed the concept of muscle tone, and explained the difference between agonists and antagonists. source
In his work De motu musculorum, Galen explained the difference between motor and sensory nerves, discussed the concept of muscle tone, and explained the difference between agonists and antagonists.
Although the main focus of his work was on medicine, anatomy, and physiology, Galen also wrote about logic and philosophy. source
Although the main focus of his work was on medicine, anatomy, and physiology, Galen also wrote about logic and philosophy.
One of Galen’s major works, On the Doctrines of Hippocrates and Plato, sought to demonstrate the unity of the two subjects and their views. source
One of Galen’s major works, On the Doctrines of Hippocrates and Plato, sought to demonstrate the unity of the two subjects and their views.
Galen believed there to be no distinction between the mental and the physical. source
Galen believed there to be no distinction between the mental and the physical.
Another one of Galen's major works, On the Diagnosis and Cure of the Soul’s Passion, contained how to approach and treat psychological problems. source
Another one of Galen's major works, On the Diagnosis and Cure of the Soul’s Passion, contained how to approach and treat psychological problems.
Galenic scholarship remains an intense and vibrant field, following renewed interest in Galen's work, dating from the German encyclopedia Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft. source
Galenic scholarship remains an intense and vibrant field, following renewed interest in Galen's work, dating from the German encyclopedia Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft.
Details of Galen’s death are vague. Modern scholars believe he died in about the year 216 A.D., aged 86 or 87, probably in Rome. source
Details of Galen’s death are vague. Modern scholars believe he died in about the year 216 A.D., aged 86 or 87, probably in Rome.
