Galen Biography

Galen was an ancient Greek physician and surgeon in the Roman Empire. He was also a renowned philosopher of his times though most of his philosophical writings have been lost. A very prominent physician, he greatly influenced the development of various scientific disciplines like anatomy, physiology, pathology and neurology, and was considered an authority on medical theory and practice in Europe up until the mid-17th century. The son of a prosperous architect, he received a good education and his father expected him to undertake a traditional career in philosophy or politics. However, the father once had a dream in which a god commanded him to send Galen to study medicine. Thus Galen started studying medicine at a local sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. His understanding of anatomy and medicine was greatly influenced by the theories of ancient Greek physicians such as Hippocrates. He travelled widely, exposing himself to a variety of medical theories and discoveries, and also studied at the great medical school of Alexandria. He eventually embarked on a career as a physician and soon gained prominence with his in-depth medical knowledge and surgical skills. As a philosopher, his writings were influenced by earlier Greek and Roman thinkers, including Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics