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March 6, 2025 45 mins

Discover how the best physician is also a philosopher… 

From the gladiators’ arena to the imperial court, the life and career of the ancient doctor Galen is among the most extraordinary in the ancient world.

A Greek, a Roman, a doctor, and a thinker, Galen was also one of the most prolific of all ancient writers, having written ten per cent of all ancient texts from before 350CE.

Today, Anya is joined by KATHERINE D. VAN SCHAIK, herself both a Classicist and an MD, to discuss Galen’s immense legacy in medicine, what he got right and wrong about health… and how a dream may have changed the course of history.

Katherine D. Van Schaik is a MD, PhD, MA and author of “How to Be Healthy: An Ancient Guide to Wellness”. She received her PhD in Ancient History from the Harvard Department of the Classics and her MD from Harvard Medical School. 

You can buy How to Be Healthy: An Ancient Guide to Wellness here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691206271/how-to-be-healthy

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

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