Galen of Pergamum

A Greek Doctor in Rome

Why were there Greek Doctors in Rome?

• Roman respect for Greek Culture/Ideas

• Greece became a Roman Province

• Some were Slaves/Freed Slaves

• Some attracted by salaries

• Good Reputation/Plausible explanation for illnesses

Claudius Galen – The Early Years

• Born in Greece (Turkey) 131AD

• Trained in Alexandria– 152 – 157

• Worked at Asclepion– 157 - 162

• Went to Rome to make his Fortune– 162

• Gladiator School– 162 - 166

• Showman– Page 43

• Such stunts brought him to the attention of the Emperor

Why is Galen Important

• Galen was not famous for having new groundbreaking ideas. Rather, he was famous for improving upon and communicating existing Greek ideas– Four Humours– Anatomy– Physiology– Design– Writings

Four Humours• Communicated the Hippocratic idea

throughout the Roman Empire– Galen’s Improvement

• Theory of Opposites– Apply Cucumbers for fevers– Hard physical exercise for weak people– Singing for Chest complaints

• The idea of balance, moderation and regular exercise was received well by practical Romans

Anatomy• Galen took the Hippocratic idea of

Observation into the body

• Widespread use of Dissection– Exposure to Human dissections at Alexandria– Pigs, dogs and Barbary Apes

• Made some serious mistakes in describing Human Anatomy

– Eg Only two chambers in Heart

– Meticulously recorded what he saw

Physiology

• Galen used the data from his dissections and experiments to explain how the body worked– Brain controlled Speech– Role of Nerves– Arteries carried Mixture of blood & Air– Blood originated in Liver– Blood being continuously made and used

up by the body

Design

• Galen took the Greek Holistic idea to explain how the body was an integrated whole– Everything has a purpose– Each organ has a specialised

purpose but that they all need each other

– Will influence Muslim and Christian faiths

Writings

• Galen took the Greek ideas on observation and Case notes to record and report on all of his medical procedures

• Prolific Writer– 300+ books (150 survive)

• Will provide the ‘Library’ for Western Medicine for the next 1500 years.– Mistakes and all!

Curriculum Vitae

• Galen is applying for a job to be the Emperor’s Personal Physician. Write a CV to apply to this job. Include:– Full Name, – Place and Date of Birth, – Education– Previous Work Experience– Publications– Personal Statement on Medical Beliefs

Change and Continuity

• Page 49– Read the articles on page 49– List examples of changes in Roman Britain– List examples of continuities in Roman Britain– List the groups of people who benefited the

most from Roman influence– List the groups of people who benefited the

least from Roman influence