A masterpiece of herbal medicine from Constantinople: the life's work of the Greek doctor Dioscorides with detailed plant pictures
Greek Dioscorides
Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Istanbul, Turkey) — Mid 15th century

Greek Dioscorides
Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Istanbul, Turkey) — Mid 15th century
This significant botanical/medical work originated from the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Constantinople
Originally written by Pedanios Dioscorides Anazarbeus (ca. 40–90), a physician in the Roman Army
It was the primary text on the applications of efficacious plants and substances for centuries in East and West
Greek Dioscorides
- Dioscórides Greco-Latino del Papa Alejandro VII
- Dioscurides graeco-latinus
- Greek Latin Dioscurides
Short Description
The manuscript of the so-called Dioscorides Greaco-Latinus, also known as the Greek Dioscorides, is a significant work lying somewhere between botany and medicine from the famous library of Pope Alexander VII. The Dioscorides is based on an ancient manuscript from the first century after Christ and is named after its author, the Greek physician Pedanios Dioscorides Anazarbeus. This was considered to be the fundamental text concerning the effects and applications of efficacious plants and substances. The Greek Dioscorides, originating from the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Constantinople, impresses with its magnificent depictions of the plants and herbs presented therein.
Greek Dioscorides
The manuscript of the so-called Dioscorides Greaco-Latinus, also known as the Greek Dioscorides, is a significant work lying somewhere between botany and medicine from the famous library of Pope Alexander VII. The Dioscorides is based on an ancient manuscript from the first century after Christ and is named after its author, the Greek physician Pedanios Dioscorides Anazarbeus. This was considered to be the fundamental text concerning the effects and applications of efficacious plants and substances. The Greek Dioscorides, originating from the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Constantinople, impresses with its magnificent depictions of the plants and herbs presented therein.
The Pope’s Herbal Book
This great treasure of medicine and botany is stored in the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. 484 wonderfully illustrated pages 28.3 x 19.8 cm presents the standard work of ancient herbal books. Originating from the Monastery of John the Baptist in Constantinople (the author or illustrator is mentioned in the text as Isisor Ruthenus), probably came into the possession of Cardinal Fabio Chigi, who was later Pope Alexander VII (1655–67), and whose coat of arms is depicted on the cover with gold embossing. The Greek Dioscorides – with text in Greek, Latin, and other languages – undoubtedly represents a highlight of the famous Vatican library!
The Ancient Author
The so-called Dioscorides manuscripts trace their roots back to an ancient doctor. Pedanios Dioscorides Anazerebus was a doctor and naturalist who was born in Anazarba in Asia Minor in the 1st century. He was active as a physician in the Roman military under the Emperors Claudius and Nero. With his treatise concerning the medicinal effects of plants, but also animal and mineral materials, he composed the primary work of early medicine and the template and example for medieval pharmacopeias. The Dioscorides enjoyed great fame both in the Orient and the Occident.
Gorgeous Depictions of the Remedies
The Dioscorides shows the typical applications of known medicinal herbs. In his work, he presents and depicts herbs, trees with their roots, additional efficacious plants, but also animals and minerals; the handsome and realistic pictures are furnished with various names and designations. Additionally, one finds notes on the properties and applications of various remedies from roots, bulbs, bark, resin, buds, leaves, flowers, as well as seeds from trees, shrubs, plants, herbs, and vegetables. Up until the Renaissance, the treatise – a work between botany and medicine – was famous and was used for advice by doctors and pharmacists as well as all kinds of people who wanted to learn something about the medicinal effects of natural remedies.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Dioscórides Greco-Latino del Papa Alejandro VII
Dioscurides graeco-latinus
Greek Latin Dioscurides - Size / Format
- 484 pages / 28.3 × 19.8 cm
- Date
- Mid 15th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Illustrations
- 600 plants, 90 minerals and 30 animal products, with a drawing of each one
- Artist / School
- Scribes: Isidore Ruthenus and five other hands
- Previous Owners
- Pope Alexander VII (Cardinal Fabio Chigi)
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Greek Dioscorides“
Dioscórides Greco-Latino del Papa Alejandro VII
- Publisher
- Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 2001
- Limited Edition
- 980 copies
- Binding
- Red goatskin stamped in gold with gold hardware. Faithful to the original design.
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Miguel Ángel González Manjarrés and María Cruz Herrero Ingelmo
Language: Spanish - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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