Constantine the African: the revival of neurology in medieval Europe

Type of article: ORIGINAL

AUTHORS

Á. L. Guerrero-Peral¹, V. de Frutos González^2
1Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid.
²G. I. R. Speculum medicinae research group. Universidad de Valladolid.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. This article offers an analysis of the life and works of Constantine the African. We will place special emphasis on the Liber Pantegni and its interesting remarks on the nature and treatment of neurological diseases. Methods. After reviewing the history of the different channels contributing to medieval Galenism and the birth of the Schola Medica Salernitana, we provide an analysis of Constantine the African and his works. Following that, we present a descriptive review of the Latin edition of the Liber Pantegni printed by Henricus Petrus, an adaptation of one of the most famous texts in Arab medicine.
Results. Constantine the African's translations of Arabic texts marked the revival of Galenism in Western medicine and a major step forward for the medical school in Salerno.
Conclusions. The writings of Constantine the African had a tremendous influence on Western medicine in the Middle Ages. Descriptions in the Liber Pantegni of neurological diseases and available means of treating them illustrate the knowledge possessed by the doctors and professors of Salerno.

KEYWORDS

Constantine the African, Schola Medica Salernitana, Haly Abbas, Liber Pantegni.

Neurosciences and History 2013;1(2):80-87