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Galen

Galen

Galen (129–c. 200/216 AD), born Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus, was a prominent Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher in the Roman Empire. His full name was Claudius Galenus, but he is commonly known by his Latinized name, Galen. He is renowned for his extensive writings on medicine, which greatly influenced Western medical science for over a millennium.

Biography

Contributions to Medicine

Legacy

Galen's medical theories dominated European medical thought for centuries, well into the Renaissance. His work was considered authoritative, and his texts were standard reading in medical schools. However, his anatomical observations were often incorrect due to his reliance on animal dissection, which led to inaccuracies when applied to human anatomy. The Renaissance, with figures like Andreas Vesalius, began to challenge and correct many of Galen's anatomical assertions through direct human dissection.

Works

Galen wrote over 300 treatises, of which about 150 survive. Some of his notable works include:

Sources:

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