Matthaeus Platearius

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Robinet Testard

Matthaeus Platearius was a 12th century physician from the School of Salerno, which is considered to be the first medical school in Western Europe. His exact dates of birth and death are not known, but he is believed to have lived during the mid-12th century. Matthaeus Platearius is most renowned for his work on medicinal plants and drugs, particularly through his contribution to the Circa Instans, a pharmacopoeia that became one of the most influential herbals in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Life and Work[edit | edit source]

Matthaeus Platearius was part of a family of medical practitioners, with his father, Johannes Platearius I, and possibly his brother, Johannes Platearius II, also being notable figures in the medical community of Salerno. The School of Salerno itself was a beacon of medical knowledge and practice, drawing upon both the ancient Greek and Roman traditions, as well as the Arabic medical texts that were being translated into Latin during this period.

The Circa Instans, attributed to Matthaeus Platearius, is a comprehensive collection of information on the uses of various herbs and drugs in treatment. This work is considered a cornerstone in the history of pharmacology and botany. It describes numerous substances of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin, along with their properties, uses, and methods of preparation. The Circa Instans was widely used and copied throughout Europe, serving as a primary reference for physicians and apothecaries for several centuries.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Matthaeus Platearius' contributions to medicine, particularly through the Circa Instans, had a lasting impact on the field of pharmacology. His work represents a significant link in the chain of knowledge transmission from the ancient and Arabic worlds to the Western European medical tradition. The Circa Instans not only provided practical guidance on the use of medicinal substances but also contributed to the broader understanding of natural sciences during the Middle Ages.

The legacy of Matthaeus Platearius and the Circa Instans underscores the importance of the School of Salerno in the history of Western medicine. It highlights the school's role in integrating various strands of medical knowledge and in fostering the development of a systematic approach to health care and pharmacology.