Abstract
Arabic Medicine is defined as the medicinal tradition and
knowledge found in classical Islamic civilization, and for
which classical Arabic was the written medium. This paper
describes Arabic Medicine, its origin in Classical Antiquity, its
evolution during the Classical Islamic period going from 750
CE to approximately 1400 CE, and how this medical tradition
was brought to Europe during the late Middle Ages. After the
Arab conquests following the advent of Islam, the medical
traditions of the conquered lands were studied and medical
texts were translated to Arabic. The main contributors were
classical Greek medical texts, and Arabic Medicine continued
the Hippocratic–Galenic tradition from Antiquity, although to
this tradition was added materials from Persian and Indian
origins. The different medical traditions were subsequently
integrated in the works of important scholars like ar-Razi,
al-Maju si, and Ibn Sina and augmented with original research
and new discoveries. Establishing modern-style hospitals must
be regarded as one of the great achievements in classical
Islamic civilization, not only permitting an effective treatment
of patients but also allowing medical teaching as well as
original research. From 1077 CE and especially in the tenth
century, important Arabic medical texts written were translated
into Latin and gave the impetus to new academic medical
teachings and activities in Europe.
knowledge found in classical Islamic civilization, and for
which classical Arabic was the written medium. This paper
describes Arabic Medicine, its origin in Classical Antiquity, its
evolution during the Classical Islamic period going from 750
CE to approximately 1400 CE, and how this medical tradition
was brought to Europe during the late Middle Ages. After the
Arab conquests following the advent of Islam, the medical
traditions of the conquered lands were studied and medical
texts were translated to Arabic. The main contributors were
classical Greek medical texts, and Arabic Medicine continued
the Hippocratic–Galenic tradition from Antiquity, although to
this tradition was added materials from Persian and Indian
origins. The different medical traditions were subsequently
integrated in the works of important scholars like ar-Razi,
al-Maju si, and Ibn Sina and augmented with original research
and new discoveries. Establishing modern-style hospitals must
be regarded as one of the great achievements in classical
Islamic civilization, not only permitting an effective treatment
of patients but also allowing medical teaching as well as
original research. From 1077 CE and especially in the tenth
century, important Arabic medical texts written were translated
into Latin and gave the impetus to new academic medical
teachings and activities in Europe.
| Translated title of the contribution | Den Arabiske Medicin og dens Overførsel til Europa |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Journal | International Journal of History and Philosophy of Medicine |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-8 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2017 |