Asclepiades of Bithynia

124?-40? b.c.

Greek Physician and Philosopher

Asclepiades was born in Prusa, Bithynia (in modern Turkey), in about 124 b.c. Bithynia was part of Greece at that time and Asclepiades went on to become one of the most influential Greek physicians in history. Like many of the Greek physicians, he also worked extensively in the areas of science and philosophy. As a predecessor of Galen (129-199?), Asclepiades exerted considerable influence over his peers until Galen began to dominate Greek medicine in a.d.164.

Asclepiades was a follower of the philosopher Democritus (460?-370? b.c.), who had developed the atomic theory during the fifth century b.c. Atomic theory attempts to explain complex phenomena, including many aspects of nature, in terms of combined units of fixed particles. Asclepiades extended this basic concept to medical thought and his views on medicine were diametrically opposed to those of Hippocrates (460?-377? b.c.), who was perhaps the most important physician in history. Hippocrates firmly believed in the healing power of nature and supported a humoral doctrine of medicine. This principle states that there are four humors in the body: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. A healthy person has these four humors mixed in exactly the right proportions, whereas someone who is ill has a deviation in the correct mixture. The goal of the physician was to restore the humors to the natural equilibrium and thereby restore health.

However, Asclepiades had his medical doctrine firmly rooted in atomism. This specific type of philosophy lends itself well to application within the natural sciences and is in fact a basic component of our known physical universe. This philosophy contends that the material universe is made up of minute, undetectable particles that have various forms, which account for observed differences. Because of this, it logically follows that any changes in the observed appearance must therefore be due to changes in them minute particles. Thus, Asclepiades firmly believed that the individual parts were more important than the sum of the whole organism.

Asclepiades specifically believed that disease resulted from either contracted or relaxed conditions of the minute solid particles that made up the individual. Because of this, he argued that the healing power of nature did not exist, but rather treatment should be started as quickly as possible. This treatment should be both agreeable to the patients and safe for them. He believed that proper treatment would restore the harmony within the impaired solid particles. The forms of treatment included the use of fresh air, corrective diet, hydrotherapy, massage, and exercise.

Asclepiades was an advocate for the mentally ill. He made extensive studies into mental conditions and clearly understood the differences between hallucinations and delusions. His theory of disease made it obvious to him that people who are mentally ill had those problems because of impaired particles. He attempted to treat these mental disorders in a humane manner. At that time, it was common for people who were considered insane to be locked up in dark, confining places. Asclepiades believed that this only further misaligned the particles, so he advocated their release from these places. He further treated them with regimens that he believed would restore harmony, such as occupational therapy, music, wine, and exercise. He is considered to be a pioneer in the humane treatment those afflicted with mental disorders.

Another significant contribution that Asclepiades made was the integral role he played in gaining the acceptance of Greek medicine in Rome. He took up residence in Rome and practiced his healing art. He had such a positive impact that the Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus (first century a.d.) gave a classic account of Greek medicine in his work De medicina. Asclepiades continued to make a significant contribution to his field until his death in Rome around 40 b.c.

JAMES J. HOFFMANN