Galen

Aelius Galenus, also known as Claudius Galenus, or Galen (lived c. 129—216 AD), was a Roman physician, surgeon, and philosopher. He is regarded as one of the most accomplished medical researchers of antiquity. Galen influenced the development of various scientific disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and neurology. Galen was born in Pergamum (today’s Bergama, Türkiye). He traveled extensively around the world to learn a wide variety of medical theories and practices, especially in Smyrna, Corinth, and Alexandria, before returning to Pergamum to continue his practice at the Asclepium (medical center) of Pergamum. He traveled to Rome in 162 AD and also became a renowned physician there, treating the wounds of gladiators who fought in the Roman Colosseum using cauterization. Galen became the personal physician of Marcus Aurelius (reigned 162—180 AD) and his successor, Commodus (reigned 180—192 AD).