fl. fourth century B.C.

Greek Physician

Diocles of Carystus was a philosopher and pioneer in Greek medicine, acclaimed by the historian Pliny to be second only to Hippocrates (c. 460-c. 377 B.C.) in reputation and ability.

Born in the late fourth century B.C. at Carystus, Euboea, he was the son of Archidamus, a physician. He moved to Athens and became a pupil of Aristotle (384-322 B.C.). Although Aristotle was known as a philosopher, he influenced many physicians of his time because of his inquiries into body physiology. His anatomy was adapted by Diocles and three prominent doctors of the Alexandrian school: Herophilus (c. 335-280 B.C.), Erasistratus (c. 304-250 B.C.), and Praxagoras (fl. fourth cent. B.C.). The four raised Greek medicine to its highest point. Another of Aristotle's pupils, Alexander the Great, died in 323 B.C. exclaiming, "I die...