Roman medicine was greatly influenced by earlier Greek medicine and literature but would also make its own unique contribution to the history of medicine through the work of such famous experts as Galen and Celsus. Whilst there were professional doctors attached to the Roman army, for the rest of the population medicine remained a private affair. Nevertheless, many large Roman households had their own medical specialist amongst their staff and with the spread of literature on the topic the access to medical knowledge became ever wider, treatments became more well known, and surgery became more sophisticated.
More about: Roman MedicineDefinition
Timeline
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431 BCEThe temple to Apollo Medicus is built in Rome.
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292 BCEThe Romans adopt the Greek god of medicine Asclepius by stealing his sacred snake from Epidaurus and setting up a temple on the Tiber Island.
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219 BCEThe physician Archagathus of Sparta arrives in Rome.
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c. 25 BCE - c. 50 CELife of the Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus.
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c. 1 CE - 50 CELife of Roman physician Scribonius Largus.
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43 CEThe physician Scribonius Largus travels to Britain with the entourage of Claudius.
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c. 60 CE - 130 CELife of the physician Soranus of Ephesos.
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129 CE - c. 216 CELife of the physician Galen of Pergamon.
