The Byzantine Empire is mostly known for its achievements in art and architecture, but not many people know that the Byzantines also made remarkable contributions to medicine and science.
Building on the foundations of ancient Greece and the Greco-Roman richness of knowledge, many Byzantine scholars not only preserved ancient texts but also expanded upon them. This laid the foundations of human knowledge that influenced the Islamic world and Western Europe during the Renaissance.
Byzantine medicine had been deeply rooted in the works of Hippocrates and Galen for centuries before the new advancements began to come about. However, medicine needed to advance to address the world’s new challenges. Prominent physicians like Oribasius and Paul of Aegina worked hard to create comprehensive medical encyclopaedias.
This hard work bore fruit, as they became the new standard references for centuries to come and were the sources of knowledge that thousands of physicians across the Byzantine Empire used to treat their patients.
For example, Paul’s “Medical Compendium in Seven Books” became a true cornerstone of medical education for centuries. In it, individuals studying to become doctors could find detailed information about surgical techniques, treatments, and diagnostics that helped thousands of patients across the empire.
One of the most notable contributions of the Byzantine Empire was the establishment of actual hospitals resembling the modern institutions we have now. Unlike earlier facilities in ancient Greece and Rome, hospitals in the Byzantine Empire were designed to provide organized medical care for all citizens.
This groundbreaking principle reflected the Christian values and ideals of helping those in need and supporting one another. It was a practical expression of the Christian spirit. This revolutionary step towards universal healthcare enabled low-income individuals to receive the treatment they deserve regardless of their income.
Most of these institutions, called “nosokomeia,” which is Greek for hospital, were operated and run by the Church rather than the state. Poor people could receive free treatment and care, whilst wealthier citizens were required to pay a fee depending on their means.
These hospitals, such as the Pantocrator Xenon in Constantinople, employed specialised physicians and offered treatments ranging from surgery to herbal remedies that were believed to be beneficial.
Byzantine doctors made significant advancements in the diagnostic methods used to determine the conditions affecting their patients.
An example of these innovative diagnostic techniques is uroscopy, thoroughly examining urine. John Zacharias Aktouarios refined the technique. He developed a detailed system to identify illnesses based on the sediment patterns found in urine.
His work laid the groundwork for advancements in urology and played a crucial role in this field of medical study.
Medicine was not the only field that saw significant advancements during the era of the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine scholars excelled in preserving and transmitting scientific knowledge, playing a significant role in passing on the knowledge of antiquity to us in modern times.
An example of the importance of the Byzantines is their translation of numerous Greek texts into Arabic.
These later influenced Islamic science, which advanced human knowledge even further.
In turn, Byzantine scientists also integrated Arabic advancements into their works, creating a bridge between cultures that clearly showed how cross-cultural cooperation can help advance human knowledge in favor of us all.
Astronomy and mathematics were also scientific fields that flourished in the Byzantine Empire. Numerous scholars continued building upon the knowledge of ancient Greek thinkers by digging deeper into their respective fields. They used their knowledge to bring practical changes such as calendar reform and architectural innovations forward.
The illuminated manuscript “Vienna Dioscurides,” for example, was a 6th-century medical text that showed exceptionally how science and art can fuse and create beautiful results for the benefit of all.
