Polybus

Polybus

Name	Polybus
Birth name
Birth date	c. 5th century BC
Birth place
Death date
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician
Years active
Organization
Known for	Successor of Hippocrates
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Polybus was an ancient Greek physician, often considered one of the most prominent successors of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine." Polybus is believed to have been Hippocrates' son-in-law and a key figure in the continuation and dissemination of the Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of medical texts that laid the foundation for Western medicine.

Biography

Polybus lived during the 5th century BC, a time when Greek medicine was undergoing significant transformation. He was a student and close associate of Hippocrates, and he played a crucial role in the development and teaching of Hippocratic medicine. Although specific details about his life are scarce, Polybus is often credited with contributing to the preservation and expansion of Hippocratic teachings.

Contributions to Medicine

Polybus is best known for his work on the theory of the four humors, which became a central concept in ancient Greek medicine. This theory posited that human health and disease were governed by the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Polybus' writings on this subject helped to solidify the theory's importance in medical practice for centuries.

The Four Humors

The theory of the four humors was a cornerstone of Hippocratic medicine, and Polybus' contributions were instrumental in its development. According to this theory:

• Blood was associated with the element of air and the season of spring. It was thought to be warm and moist.
• Phlegm was linked to water and winter, characterized as cold and moist.
• Yellow bile corresponded to fire and summer, considered warm and dry.
• Black bile was connected to earth and autumn, seen as cold and dry.

Polybus' work emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance among these humors for good health, and he advocated for treatments that aimed to restore this balance when it was disrupted.

Legacy

Polybus' influence on medicine extended beyond his lifetime, as his teachings and writings were incorporated into the broader Hippocratic tradition. His work on the four humors remained a dominant medical paradigm until the advent of modern medical science in the 19th century.

Also see

• Hippocrates
• Hippocratic Corpus
• Ancient Greek medicine
• Four humors
• Galen