Alexander
the Great was the son of Philip II of Macedonia who
conquered the Grecian States at Choeronea (Boeotia) in
338 B.C. While attempting to liberate Greek colonies
from Persian rule in 336, he was assassinated at the
age of 47 and his son Alexander took over. Alexander
had been a pupil of Aristotle at 13 years of age but
the tutorship lasted only 3 years. He became king of
Macedonia at 20 years of age but the tutorship lasted
only 3 years. He became king of Macedonia at 20 years
of age. Aristotle was a friend and counselor of
Alexander presumably until about 327 B.C. Alexander
undertook vast military campaigns throughout Asia
Minor and as far east as India. Throughout this period
he sent plants and various objects to the Lyceum. For
this purpose on his conquests, he included
naturalists. Alexander died in 323 B.C. as a result of
a fever in Babylon.
Information Concerning Drugs
The principal information concerning drugs has been
accumulated over the centuries by herb collectors and
root diggers called rhizatomoi. Mere attention had
been given to methods to be used for collection of the
most useful herbs. The properties of these plants were
undoubtedly known to the root diggers prior to the
beginning of scientific medicine.
Various rites were connected with plant collections
and superstitions relative to the ways and means of
collection were rampant. The rhizotomists gathered and
tested roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits while
various schools of philosophy were devising theories
as to their use. Physicians, on the other hand, had to
reinvestigate the reported properties of the various
plant organs and determine their proper use and
dosage.
Theophrastus presented some information relative to
root-diggers and the superstitions connected with
their work to which students will be referred.
Developments in the Alexandrian School - Egypt
From a botanical and horticultural view our knowledge of Grecian
botany and horticulture ceases with the Death of Theophrastus.
Apparently the school was disbanded after his son
had taken over and his manuscripts were scattered to
unknown places.
Following the death of Alexander the Great, the
center of education and learning in the Eastern
Mediterranean shifted to Alexandria in Egypt. Upon the
death of Alexander one of his Macedonian generals, who
had shown superior military prowess conquered Egypt
and Libya, and established himself as ptolemy I (c.
367-283 B.C.). With his support Alexandria became the
outstanding intellectual center of the Western world
and remained so until the reign of Augustus Caesar in
Rome. Euclid, Herophilus,
Archimedes, and Appollonius established
an "analytic" rather than a "synthetic" approach to
the natural world. They became interested in new ways
to investigate the scientific problems of their
time.
No botanists appear to have distinguished
themselves in Alexandria although it was the center of
learning and intellectual activity. Undoubtedly the
Library contained botanical material but the interest
centered in mathematics and abstract science.
At Alexandria what was called a "Museum" was
established. In addition the Alexandrian
Library became famous as a center for the
preservation of manuscripts and "rolls." Unfortunately
after some time it was partially destroyed and the
remaining "rolls" and manuscripts dispersed throughout
the known world.
Several outstanding individuals who studied in
Alexandria are of interest to us because of their
biological significance.
