Herophilos
Herophilos of Chalcedon | |
|---|---|
Medallion with a relief depicting Herophilus in the Old Faculty of Medicine of Zaragoza. | |
| Born | c. 335 BC |
| Died | c. 280 BC (aged approximately 55) |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Era | Classical Greece |
Herophilos (/hɪˈrɒfɪləs/; Ancient 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; however, this account has been disputed by many historians. He is often seen as the father of anatomy.