Aelius Promotus
Encyclopedia
Aelius Promotus was an ancient physician
of Alexandria
, of whose personal history no particulars are known, and whose date is uncertain. He is supposed by Villoison
to have lived after the time of Pompey the Great
, that is, in the 1st century BC. By others he is considered to be much more ancient; yet other scholars place him as late as the second half of the 1st century AD. He is most probably the same person who is quoted by Galen
simply by the name of Aelius. He wrote several Greek medical works, which are still to be found in manuscript in different libraries in Europe. The treatise On venomous beasts and poisonous drugs, attributed to Aelius, was last published in 1995. His main work titled (Latin
Medicinalium Formularum Collectio), was first published in its complete extension in 2002 by Daria Crismani. Two other of his works are quoted or mentioned by Hieronymus Mercurialis
. And also by Schneider in his prefaces to Nicander
's Theriaca
, and Alexipharmaca.
Medicine in Ancient Greece
The first known Greek medical school opened in Cnidus in 700 BC. Alcmaeon, author of the first anatomical work, worked at this school, and it was here that the practice of observing patients was established. Ancient Greek medicine revolved around the theory of humours...
of Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, of whose personal history no particulars are known, and whose date is uncertain. He is supposed by Villoison
Jean-Baptiste Gaspard d'Ansse de Villoison
Jean-Baptiste Gaspard d'Ansse de Villoison was a classical scholar born at Corbeil-sur-Seine, France....
to have lived after the time of Pompey the Great
Pompey
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey or Pompey the Great , was a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic...
, that is, in the 1st century BC. By others he is considered to be much more ancient; yet other scholars place him as late as the second half of the 1st century AD. He is most probably the same person who is quoted by Galen
Galen
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus , better known as Galen of Pergamon , was a prominent Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher...
simply by the name of Aelius. He wrote several Greek medical works, which are still to be found in manuscript in different libraries in Europe. The treatise On venomous beasts and poisonous drugs, attributed to Aelius, was last published in 1995. His main work titled (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Medicinalium Formularum Collectio), was first published in its complete extension in 2002 by Daria Crismani. Two other of his works are quoted or mentioned by Hieronymus Mercurialis
Geronimo Mercuriali
Girolamo Mercuriale was an Italian philologist and physician, most famous for his work De Arte Gymnastica.-Biography:...
. And also by Schneider in his prefaces to Nicander
Nicander
Nicander of Colophon , Greek poet, physician and grammarian, was born at Claros, , near Colophon, where his family held the hereditary priesthood of Apollo. He flourished under Attalus III of Pergamum.He wrote a number of works both in prose and verse, of which two survive complete...
's Theriaca
Theriaca
Theriaca may refer to:*Theriaca by Nicander of Colophon, Greek poet of 2nd century BC*Theriaca or Theriac, ancient Greek remedy*Venice treacle, also called Andromachi theriaca, antidote against venom...
, and Alexipharmaca.