On the Origins of Education in the Byzantine Medical Discipline: The Figure of the Iatrosophist in the 4th Century

Authors

  • Marco Alviz Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Keywords:

Iatrosophist, doctor, sophist, philosopher, medicine, education, παιδεία

Abstract

This article analyzes the figure of the 4th-century medical teacher known as iatrosophist (ἰατροσοφιστής). Those professionals became part of the late-antique and Byzantine culture at least until the 7th century. Medicine played a role of the utmost importance within the framework of παιδεία, i.e. the Greco-Roman higher education system; it was a specialized discipline particularly valuable in ancient society since primitive times. In this context, the iatrosophists are studied through the biographies of doctors written by Eunapius of Sardis (c.400). As a result, four basic traits are offered that characterize the 4th-century iatrosophist, namely his institutional recognition, his popular recognition, his high erudition, and his political influence.

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Published

2021-12-01

How to Cite

Alviz, M. (2021). On the Origins of Education in the Byzantine Medical Discipline: The Figure of the Iatrosophist in the 4th Century. Estudios Bizantinos, 9, 53–77. Retrieved from https://erevistas.publicaciones.uah.es/ojs/index.php/ebizantinos/article/view/1943

Issue

Vol. 9 (2021)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Marco Alviz

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