Herophilos

Herophilos (right) teaching Anatomy, 1906, by Veloso Salgado (NOVA Medical School, Lisbon)

Herophilos (/hɪˈrɒfɪləs/; Greek: Ἡρόφιλος; 335–280 BC), sometimes Latinised Herophilus, was a Greek physician regarded as one of the earliest anatomists. Born in Chalcedon, he spent the majority of his life in Alexandria. He was the first scientist to systematically perform scientific dissections of human cadavers. He recorded his findings in over nine works, which are now all lost. The early Christian author Tertullian states that Herophilos vivisected at least 600 live prisoners;[1] however, this account has been disputed by many historians.[2] He is often seen as the father of anatomy.[3]

  1. ^ Galen. On Semen. DeLacy P (trans.) Akademie Verlag, 1992. p. 147, line 22
  2. ^ Scarborough "Celsus on Human Vivisection at Ptolemaic Alexandria", Clio Medica. Acta Academiae Internationalis Historiae Medicinae. Vol. 11, 1976
  3. ^ "Herophilus". Britannica.

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