Dioscorides: The Ancient Greek Father of Pharmacology and De Materia Medica

Dioscorides: The Ancient Greek Father of Pharmacology and De Materia Medica

Dioscorides is considered to be the father of pharmacology. Image: Painting of unknown artist depicting Heuresis (the personification of discovery) presenting Dioscorides with a mandrake root. Since this root was supposed to let out a deadly scream when harvested, a dog had it torn out of the ground. Heuresis therefore points to the dead animal at her feet. Credit: Unknown artist. Wikipedia Public Domain The ancient Greek physician and botanist …