Marcellus Empiricus
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Marcellus Empiricus was a Gallo-Roman writer born in Bordeaux in the 4th century who served at the court of Theodosius II. In the early 5th century, he compiled a medicinal work primarily based on Scribonius Largus, which is valuable for studying medical superstitions of that period.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Marcellus Empiricus, Gallo-Roman writer; born in Bordeaux in the 4th century, served at the court of Theodosius II; in the early 5th century compiled (chiefly from Scribonius Largus) a medicinal work, interesting for the study of medical superstitions of that time: "De medicamentis empiricis, physicis et rationalibus liber". In the preface to his work, M. states that he has indicated not only medicines approved by physicians, but also those recommended by peasants and commoners (agrestes et plebei). His work was published in 1536 in Basel, in 1547 by Aldus Manutius in Venice, and in 1567 by Estienne in Paris. The best edition is that of Helmrigh (Lpz., 1889). Although M. is sometimes called archiater, it is not established whether he was a physician.
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Cite this page
“Marcellus Empiricus.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/marcellus-empiricus/