625-690

Greek Physician and Surgeon

Paul of Aegina was a Greek physician and surgeon whose writing contained almost everything that was known about Western medicine in his time. Because his work had such an influence on Arab medical practice, and Arab medical texts were the primary references for medieval medicine in Europe, it had a lasting influence on Western medieval medicine. Paul's greatest work was Epitomae medicae libri septem (Medical compendium in seven books). Abu al-Qasim (c. 936-c. 1013), one of the most important Islamic surgeons, borrowed extensively from the sixth book of Epitome when compiling his own work on surgery.

Paul was born on the Greek island of Aegina and lived during the reign of the Emperor Heraclius (575-641, r. 610-641). Very little is known about his life, but most sources agree that he was educated at the University of Alexandria. He is best...