Zopyrus (physician)

Zopyrus (Greek Ζώπυρος ) lived as a doctor in Alexandria around 100 BC and is mentioned in numerous sources. He dealt with surgery; but his afterlife based on its pharmacological activity. His recipes, especially the antidote, which he Mithridates VI. Eupator announced that century were still passed later.

Life, work, after-effect

The life and work of the Zopyrus is known only through references to other authors. Apollonius of Citium ( 1st century BC) recognizes him as the teacher of Alexandria, of which he was admitted to the surgery. Narrated but are the recipes that show him to pharmacologists. Probably he belonged to the Empirikerschule.

Celsus (ca. 25 BC - 50 AD ) narrates in his book De Medicina an antidote, the ambrosia hot and have compiled the Zopyrus for " King Ptolemy " ( regis Ptolemaeo ). Scribonius Largus ( 1st century AD) know of an antidote of Zopyrus, but it can not specify: Antidotos ξωπύριος, Deest. Pliny the Elder ( 23-79 AD) knows a pharmaceutical plant zopyrontion that help significantly against snake bites. Galen of Pergamum ( 129-216 AD ) mentions in his work De Zopyrus Antidotis several times. It indicates not only the recipe and the indication, but also handed down an interesting story: Zopyrus have (probably Mithridates VI Eupator. ) Informed the recipe Mithridates and asked him to go through a trial of a convicted felon to verify the effectiveness. The subject had survived. Zopyrus was so famous as a correspondent for two important rulers. In the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, his recipes from Oribasius and Marcellus Empiricus be added to their collections. Even the beginning of the 5th century mention him Caelius Aurelianus in his work " Celerum Passionum Libri III ".

Antidote for Zopyrus

There have been handed two detailed antidote recipes Zopyrus. This antidote is a remedy against poison and snake bite, but is also used for treating pain in the bowels, heartburn, bladder disease, expulsion of the dead fetus, etc.. The traditional Celsus ambrosia consists of nine ingredients. These are aromatic, not particularly efficacious by today's herbal substances, such as pepper, saffron (Latin croci Cilici, Greek Χρόχος ), cinnamon (Latin cinnamomum, Greek Χιννάμωμον ), myrrh. Galen lists the same plants and a few more, including parsley. The remedies were crushed and boiled in honey or wine.