# Pedanius Dioscorides

> Greco-Roman physician and pharmacologist (AD c.40-90)

**Wikidata**: [Q297776](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297776)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioscorides)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pedanius-dioscorides

## Summary
Pedanius Dioscorides was a Greco-Roman physician and pharmacologist who lived during the 1st century AD, approximately between 40 and 90. He is best known for authoring *De Materia Medica*, a foundational text in pharmacology that cataloged medicinal plants and substances. This work became one of the most influential sources in medieval and early modern medicine.

## Biography
- Born: c. 40 AD (date and place unknown)
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Authoring *De Materia Medica*, a pharmacopoeia of medicinal plants and substances
- Employer(s): Not specified
- Field(s): Medicine, pharmacology, botany

## Contributions
Pedanius Dioscorides authored *De Materia Medica*, a five-volume pharmacopoeia that described hundreds of medicinal substances and their uses. This work remained a cornerstone of medical knowledge for over 1,500 years, influencing both Islamic and European medicine. It was widely copied, translated, and referenced by physicians and pharmacists across cultures.

## FAQs
### What is *De Materia Medica*?
*De Materia Medica* is a 1st-century pharmacopoeia written by Pedanius Dioscorides. It systematically describes the preparation and use of hundreds of medicinal substances, including plants, animal products, and minerals. The text became a standard reference in medicine and pharmacology for centuries.

### How did *De Materia Medica* influence medicine?
It served as the primary reference for pharmacological knowledge in both the Islamic world and Europe, forming the basis for many later herbals and pharmaceutical texts. Its influence extended into the Renaissance and beyond.

### Was Pedanius Dioscorides a pharmacist or botanist?
He is identified as both a pharmacologist and a botanist, with his work focusing on the classification and medicinal use of plants and substances. His role as a pharmacologist is emphasized by his creation of *De Materia Medica*, which became a foundational text in the field.

### What time period was Pedanius Dioscorides active in?
He lived during the 1st century AD, with his approximate dates being 40–90 AD.

### What is the significance of *De Materia Medica*?
It is considered one of the most influential works in the history of pharmacology and botany. It was translated into multiple languages and used by physicians and apothecaries for over a millennium.

## Why They Matter
Pedanius Dioscorides fundamentally shaped the development of pharmacology and botany through *De Materia Medica*. This work became the template for all subsequent herbals and pharmacopoeias, influencing medical practice in both the Western and Islamic worlds. His systematic approach to cataloging medicinal substances laid the groundwork for the scientific study of drugs and their effects on the human body. Without his contributions, the development of modern pharmacology would have lacked a critical historical foundation.

## Notable For
- Authoring *De Materia Medica*, a foundational pharmacological text
- Establishing a systematic approach to the classification of medicinal substances
- Influencing over 1,500 years of medical and pharmaceutical knowledge
- Being cited as a primary source in medieval and Renaissance herbals and medical texts
- Bridging Greek, Roman, and later Islamic and European medical traditions

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Pedanius Dioscorides was a Greco-Roman physician and pharmacologist who lived during the 1st century AD, approximately between 40 and 90. His birthplace and early education are not documented, but his work demonstrates a deep understanding of medicinal plants and substances.

### Career and Work
Dioscorides worked in the field of medicine, focusing on the study and classification of drugs and their effects on the human body. His career culminated in the creation of *De Materia Medica*, a five-volume pharmacopoeia that became the most referenced work in pharmacology for over a millennium.

### *De Materia Medica*: Content and Influence
*De Materia Medica* is a comprehensive catalog of medicinal substances, including:
- Over 600 plants
- Animal products
- Minerals
The text was organized into five books, each focusing on different categories of remedies. It was widely used by physicians, pharmacists, and botanists across cultures and centuries. The work was translated into multiple languages, including Latin, Arabic, and Syriac, and influenced Islamic medicine significantly.

### Legacy and Longevity
The influence of *De Materia Medica* extended well into the Renaissance. It was copied and illustrated in numerous manuscripts, including the famous *Dioscorides manuscript* (Vienna Dioscorides) and others. It served as a reference for physicians like Abu al-Abbas al-Nabati and influenced the development of pharmacopoeias in both Europe and the Islamic world.

### Recognition and Modern References
Dioscorides is recognized in numerous historical and scientific databases and is cited in:
- Wikidata (Q4005-137206)
- Library of Congress (n83204415)
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB)
- British Library (BL) and other international archives
His work continues to be studied for its contributions to the history of science and medicine.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. BnF authorities
4. CiNii Research
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Dioscorides%20Pedanius)
8. LIBRIS. 2012
9. Provenio
10. HMML Authority File
11. Digital Scriptorium Catalog