History of medicine: Claudius Galenus

Also known as

• Aelius Galenus
• Galen of Pergamon
• Galen

 

Life

• 129 CE : Born in Pergamon, Roman Empire (modern Turkey).
• 148 CE : Galen's father died. Galen began travelling.
• 157 CE : Galen returned to Pergamon. Worked as physician to the gladiators.
• 161 CE : The reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius began.
• 162 CE : Galen moved to Rome, Roman Empire.
• 165 CE : The Antonine Plague began.
• 180 CE : Emperor Marcus Aurelius died in Vindobona (modern Vienna, Austria) or Sirmium (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). The reign of Emperor Commodus began.
• 180 CE : The Antonine Plague ended.
• 192 CE : Emperor Commodus died in Rome. Year of the five emperors began.
• 193 CE : The reign of Emperor Severus began.
• 199 CE : According to one source: Galen died in Rome (aged 70).
• 211 CE : Emperor Severus died in Eboracum (modern York, UK). Caracalla became emperor.
• 216 CE : According to one source: Galen died in Rome (aged 87).

Great works

• Detailed anatomical reference works. These were widely used until the publication of  De humani corporis fabrica by Andreas Vesalius in 1543.
• Numerous detailed medical reports.

 

Significance in history  

• Recognised that some animals have a very similar anatomy to humans.
• Identified differences between arterial and venous blood.
• Disproved the idea that blood vessels transport air.
• Recognised that the mind is a consequence of physical structures and processes, rather than a separate entity.
• Recognised psychotherapy as an essential tool and attempted to create an early version of it.

 

Notable errors and redundant ideas

• Believed that the circulatory system consists of two separate systems instead of one unified circuit. Believed that blood moves back and forth along each vessel instead of flowing unidirectionally.
• Agreed with the contemporary humorism model of diseases.