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review of new modern english DIOSCORIDES .................
Dioscorides. De materia medica.
A new English translation by T.A.Osbaldeston.
Introductory notes by R.P.Wood.
First Edition, 2000.
Published by IBIDIS Press, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The earliest herbals, dealing with plants and their human use, originated from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and China. Theophrastus from Lesbos, an associate of Aristotle, was the earliest systematic writer on Botany in Europe, and probably drew on the work of a contemporary, Diocles of Carystus. Three centuries later the Greek, Dioscorides, and the Roman encyclopaedist, Pliny the Elder, contributed significantly to the knowledge of Botany. More contributions came from Cratevas, Sextius Niger, Nicander of Colophon, Nicolaus of Damascus, Galen and Oribasius, but when the great Carl Linnaeus (18th century) reviewed the botanists of antiquity, he mentioned only Theophrastus (the first scientific botanist), Pliny (the systemic compiler of natural history), and Dioscorides (the first medical botanist).
Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 AD) was a learned physician who served with the Roman army in various regions of the Empire. His famous De Materia Medica (the world's first pharmacopeia) was probably written between 64-77, and dedicated to his colleague, Areius, who had encouraged him to tackle the task. Consisting of 5 books, it deals with more than 1 000 products of medical import, more than 600 being of plant and 70 of animal origin. He also took trouble to describe the preparation of medicated oils and ointments, and included a number of amulets and mascots of purely superstitious value. This extraordinary work remained the standard authority on materia medica for more than 1 500 years. The original Greek manuscript was not illustrated, but illustrated versions soon followed. In the 9th century an Arabic translation appeared, and later Latin and Syriac versions. At approximately this time Dioscorides' work was temporarily banned as heretical literature by the Christian church. The first printed copies appeared in the late 15th century in Latin and Greek, followed by German, Bohemian, French and Italian editions.
John Goodyer, a distinguished botanist from Petersfield, England, translated Dioscorides into English. It took him 3 years (1652-1655), and the 4 540 handwritten pages remained unpublished until quite recently. Robert Gunther based the first English publication of the De Materia Medica (1933, Hafner Publ. Co., New York & London) on manuscripts in Magdalen College, Oxford, and the Royal College of Physicians, London. He retained Goodyer's medieval English text (without consulting the original Greek) and included 396 illustrations -- mostly by unknown Byzantine artists of the 6th century (many of which were of inferior quality) as well as excellent illustrations by Cratevas (a Greek artist and botanist of the 1st century BC). In an Appendix Dr. Charles Daubeny's 1857 re-evaluation of Dioscorides plant identifications and Byzantine plant illustrations in available manuscripts were recorded -- a third of the latter were considered bad or fictitious. A facsimile of the 1933 edition was published in 1959, but has long since been out of print.
In June 2000 Osbaldeston published a new English translation of the De materia medica, and in the following review this publication will be compared with Gunther's book, where relevant.
The new translation is an impressive tome. The review copy weighed in at 4,5 kg, with more than 1 000 pages. It is available as numbered editions in full-leather or half-leather or in case-bound format.
Osbaldeston (the translator) and R.P.Wood (the researcher for all the additional information except the re-translation of the Original Dedication) state clearly that, like Gunther, they did not consult the original Greek. Instead, they translated Goodyer's medieval English into very readable contemporary English, added a very informative introduction, made use of the best illustrations, and published it in a de luxe format, all of which will be greatly welcomed by the general public who are merely interested in the facts. It is, however, a pity that the Greek original was not consulted, since it has already been pointed out that 'Goodyer's translation suffers from a number of deficiencies, not the least of which is a crude quasi-transliteration of Greek plant names'. The title inscription on individual pages of the new translation e.g. reads 'The Herbal of Dioscorides the Greek', reminiscent of the title given by Goodyer, although a considerable component of the content is not plant-related. The title page, however, contains a corrected version: Dioscorides. De materia medica. Being an herbal with many other medicinal materials (the latter phrase being the translator's addition).
The editors took pains to ensure a high standard of illustrations -- and the result is impressive, ranging from small 19th century prints at the head and foot of sections/chapters, to full-page illustrations, reproduced from artists as far back as the 16th century. Different from Gunther's 1933 edition, virtually all of these prints are true to life. There is an interesting introductory overview of the background of these illustrations, and an exhaustive list of close on 150 publications consulted on compilation of the De materia medica. An index of geographical terms explain place names mentioned in the text, and there is a chronological list of more than 300 herbals and related publications based on Dioscorides since 1473. Like Gunther the authors include Dioscorides' original dedication to his colleague, Areius -- and an excellent overview, more detailed than that by Gunther, on the De materia medica's origins and history through the ages. In contrast to Gunther's rather outdated and limited subject index, this book contains very useful separate indexes on Alternate names, Illustrations, Latinized Greek names, Medical uses, Plant materials and Poisons.
Dioscorides presented his De materia medica as 5 books: Book I on aromatic plants, oils, resins and pitch; Book II on living creatures, fats, vegetables and flax; Book III on roots, mushrooms and glues; Book IV on more herbs and roots; Book V on vines, wines and metallic stones. All substances mentioned are morphologically described (with region of origin where appropriate) after which their medical uses (or abuses) are enumerated. Gunther suggested a single modern scientific name for each material, while the new translation gives multiple possible botanical, zoological or geological names, as well as a popular English description for each substance.
Book I. In general there is a close similarity right through the De materia medica on the scientific identification suggested by Gunther and Osbaldeston, but on items I.108, 109-113, 118, 119 and 123, the two books differ totally. In the new translation item 123 should read I.125. In I.34-I.36 it is suggested that grime scraped from old walls and images may be used as skin conditioner, and for painful joints!
Book II. The medieval value of animal products are enumerated (animals big and small, marine, avian and terrestrial), including milk, and the medicinal virtues of wine and dung. Cockroach poultices for ear ache (II.38) would presumably not be for the squeamish! Curative and toxic effects of honey, waxes, vegetables, cereals and flaxes are reviewed. The suggestion that smilex, a legume (II.176) could have been Phaseolus vulgaris (common haricot of runner bean), cannot be accepted, as this bean was only introduced to Europe from America in the 16th century.
Book III. This book deals with mushrooms and agaric, vegetables with prominent roots, a wide variety of herbs and spices, and glues obtained from the hides of bulls and fish.
Book IV. A few remaining root plants and herbs are described, as well as the medicinal value of barley, certain berries, common flowers and euphorbias. The identities of klumenon (IV.13) and idaia rhiza (IV.44) remain unknown. There is a detailed section on 'Old world' poisons, e.g. hemlock, henbane, hellebore, opium, aconite, deadly nightshade, taxus and mandragora.
Book V. This deals with wild and domestic grapes, vines, the curative value of sea water, and an extensive overview of the production, varieties and effects of wine, including medicinal wines, aromatic wines, wines brewed from plants and fruits, abortifacient wines, poison wines and narcotic wines. The mining, purification and effects of a wide variety of metals and their salts are reviewed, however the identity of substances like phrugios lithos (V.141), asios lithos (V.142), thrakias lithos (V.147) and a number of others could not be determined. The book ends with the health effects of items like sponges, coral, asbestos, emery, bitumen, marble and various semi-precious stones.
In summary then, the new English translation of Dioscorides' De materia medica can be recommended as a worthy contribution to the core of texts on ancient medical history. The fact that the original Greek was not consulted in its compilations may trouble purists, but In her Editorial Preface, Osbaldeston admits that there may well remain controversy on the final identity of plants, minerals and animals mentioned by Dioscorides and that she would welcome constructive criticism in this regard.
F.P.Retief, Research Fellow, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
L.Cilliers, Dept. of English and Classical Culture, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
A new English translation by T.A.Osbaldeston.
Introductory notes by R.P.Wood.
First Edition, 2000.
Published by IBIDIS Press, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The earliest herbals, dealing with plants and their human use, originated from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and China. Theophrastus from Lesbos, an associate of Aristotle, was the earliest systematic writer on Botany in Europe, and probably drew on the work of a contemporary, Diocles of Carystus. Three centuries later the Greek, Dioscorides, and the Roman encyclopaedist, Pliny the Elder, contributed significantly to the knowledge of Botany. More contributions came from Cratevas, Sextius Niger, Nicander of Colophon, Nicolaus of Damascus, Galen and Oribasius, but when the great Carl Linnaeus (18th century) reviewed the botanists of antiquity, he mentioned only Theophrastus (the first scientific botanist), Pliny (the systemic compiler of natural history), and Dioscorides (the first medical botanist).
Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 AD) was a learned physician who served with the Roman army in various regions of the Empire. His famous De Materia Medica (the world's first pharmacopeia) was probably written between 64-77, and dedicated to his colleague, Areius, who had encouraged him to tackle the task. Consisting of 5 books, it deals with more than 1 000 products of medical import, more than 600 being of plant and 70 of animal origin. He also took trouble to describe the preparation of medicated oils and ointments, and included a number of amulets and mascots of purely superstitious value. This extraordinary work remained the standard authority on materia medica for more than 1 500 years. The original Greek manuscript was not illustrated, but illustrated versions soon followed. In the 9th century an Arabic translation appeared, and later Latin and Syriac versions. At approximately this time Dioscorides' work was temporarily banned as heretical literature by the Christian church. The first printed copies appeared in the late 15th century in Latin and Greek, followed by German, Bohemian, French and Italian editions.
John Goodyer, a distinguished botanist from Petersfield, England, translated Dioscorides into English. It took him 3 years (1652-1655), and the 4 540 handwritten pages remained unpublished until quite recently. Robert Gunther based the first English publication of the De Materia Medica (1933, Hafner Publ. Co., New York & London) on manuscripts in Magdalen College, Oxford, and the Royal College of Physicians, London. He retained Goodyer's medieval English text (without consulting the original Greek) and included 396 illustrations -- mostly by unknown Byzantine artists of the 6th century (many of which were of inferior quality) as well as excellent illustrations by Cratevas (a Greek artist and botanist of the 1st century BC). In an Appendix Dr. Charles Daubeny's 1857 re-evaluation of Dioscorides plant identifications and Byzantine plant illustrations in available manuscripts were recorded -- a third of the latter were considered bad or fictitious. A facsimile of the 1933 edition was published in 1959, but has long since been out of print.
In June 2000 Osbaldeston published a new English translation of the De materia medica, and in the following review this publication will be compared with Gunther's book, where relevant.
The new translation is an impressive tome. The review copy weighed in at 4,5 kg, with more than 1 000 pages. It is available as numbered editions in full-leather or half-leather or in case-bound format.
Osbaldeston (the translator) and R.P.Wood (the researcher for all the additional information except the re-translation of the Original Dedication) state clearly that, like Gunther, they did not consult the original Greek. Instead, they translated Goodyer's medieval English into very readable contemporary English, added a very informative introduction, made use of the best illustrations, and published it in a de luxe format, all of which will be greatly welcomed by the general public who are merely interested in the facts. It is, however, a pity that the Greek original was not consulted, since it has already been pointed out that 'Goodyer's translation suffers from a number of deficiencies, not the least of which is a crude quasi-transliteration of Greek plant names'. The title inscription on individual pages of the new translation e.g. reads 'The Herbal of Dioscorides the Greek', reminiscent of the title given by Goodyer, although a considerable component of the content is not plant-related. The title page, however, contains a corrected version: Dioscorides. De materia medica. Being an herbal with many other medicinal materials (the latter phrase being the translator's addition).
The editors took pains to ensure a high standard of illustrations -- and the result is impressive, ranging from small 19th century prints at the head and foot of sections/chapters, to full-page illustrations, reproduced from artists as far back as the 16th century. Different from Gunther's 1933 edition, virtually all of these prints are true to life. There is an interesting introductory overview of the background of these illustrations, and an exhaustive list of close on 150 publications consulted on compilation of the De materia medica. An index of geographical terms explain place names mentioned in the text, and there is a chronological list of more than 300 herbals and related publications based on Dioscorides since 1473. Like Gunther the authors include Dioscorides' original dedication to his colleague, Areius -- and an excellent overview, more detailed than that by Gunther, on the De materia medica's origins and history through the ages. In contrast to Gunther's rather outdated and limited subject index, this book contains very useful separate indexes on Alternate names, Illustrations, Latinized Greek names, Medical uses, Plant materials and Poisons.
Dioscorides presented his De materia medica as 5 books: Book I on aromatic plants, oils, resins and pitch; Book II on living creatures, fats, vegetables and flax; Book III on roots, mushrooms and glues; Book IV on more herbs and roots; Book V on vines, wines and metallic stones. All substances mentioned are morphologically described (with region of origin where appropriate) after which their medical uses (or abuses) are enumerated. Gunther suggested a single modern scientific name for each material, while the new translation gives multiple possible botanical, zoological or geological names, as well as a popular English description for each substance.
Book I. In general there is a close similarity right through the De materia medica on the scientific identification suggested by Gunther and Osbaldeston, but on items I.108, 109-113, 118, 119 and 123, the two books differ totally. In the new translation item 123 should read I.125. In I.34-I.36 it is suggested that grime scraped from old walls and images may be used as skin conditioner, and for painful joints!
Book II. The medieval value of animal products are enumerated (animals big and small, marine, avian and terrestrial), including milk, and the medicinal virtues of wine and dung. Cockroach poultices for ear ache (II.38) would presumably not be for the squeamish! Curative and toxic effects of honey, waxes, vegetables, cereals and flaxes are reviewed. The suggestion that smilex, a legume (II.176) could have been Phaseolus vulgaris (common haricot of runner bean), cannot be accepted, as this bean was only introduced to Europe from America in the 16th century.
Book III. This book deals with mushrooms and agaric, vegetables with prominent roots, a wide variety of herbs and spices, and glues obtained from the hides of bulls and fish.
Book IV. A few remaining root plants and herbs are described, as well as the medicinal value of barley, certain berries, common flowers and euphorbias. The identities of klumenon (IV.13) and idaia rhiza (IV.44) remain unknown. There is a detailed section on 'Old world' poisons, e.g. hemlock, henbane, hellebore, opium, aconite, deadly nightshade, taxus and mandragora.
Book V. This deals with wild and domestic grapes, vines, the curative value of sea water, and an extensive overview of the production, varieties and effects of wine, including medicinal wines, aromatic wines, wines brewed from plants and fruits, abortifacient wines, poison wines and narcotic wines. The mining, purification and effects of a wide variety of metals and their salts are reviewed, however the identity of substances like phrugios lithos (V.141), asios lithos (V.142), thrakias lithos (V.147) and a number of others could not be determined. The book ends with the health effects of items like sponges, coral, asbestos, emery, bitumen, marble and various semi-precious stones.
In summary then, the new English translation of Dioscorides' De materia medica can be recommended as a worthy contribution to the core of texts on ancient medical history. The fact that the original Greek was not consulted in its compilations may trouble purists, but In her Editorial Preface, Osbaldeston admits that there may well remain controversy on the final identity of plants, minerals and animals mentioned by Dioscorides and that she would welcome constructive criticism in this regard.
F.P.Retief, Research Fellow, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
L.Cilliers, Dept. of English and Classical Culture, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
DIOSCORIDES DE MATERIA MEDICA - five books in one volume: New Modern English Translation. A few of the printed books are still available. See HOW TO ORDER page.
