A medieval physician: Amirdovlat Amasiatsi (1420–1495)

Abstract

We aimed to acquaint the reader with a medieval physician, Amirdovlat Amasiatsi, who lived and practiced in the 15th century Anatolia. Amirdovlat wrote several books on medicine mainly focusing on phytotherapy and pharmacology using medicinal plants, animal-derived products and minerals. All his works were written in Middle Armenian, spoken Armenian language of the time. In his writings, Amirdovlat described unique recipes that represent a portrayal of medical knowledge and practice at the time in Anatolia where he lived and worked. He discussed the physical and therapeutic properties as well as geographic distributions of various plants and minerals, using different languages, mainly Turkish, Greek, Arabic, French and Persian. Amirdovlat's works not only enhanced our understanding of Armenian medical practices but also provided great deal of information on those of Ancient Greco-Roman as well as Islamic world, demonstrating close relationship of Armenian medicine with Greco-Roman and Islamic medicine. Amirdovlat accomplished this by amalgamating the past and contemporary practices of his time. In this regard, Amirdovlat's works, in particular "Useless for the Ignorant", are very unique playing a significant role in preserving traditions and heritage of different cultures.

Where tradition meets science: microbial diversity and bioactive compounds in Armenian fermented milk products

“…Articles concerning yogurt were used in regard to the history of fermentation, bioactive molecules of History of Armenian Medicine: Armenian medicine was highly acknowledged in the ancient world. While many texts have been lost in the wake of countless wars and political and territorial changes, there is evidence in historical medical texts that Greek, Persian, and Armenian scholars influenced and expanded each other's work [7]. Armenian medicine has its roots in folk medicine practiced by the Armenians before Christianity became the state religion in 301 AD.…”

“…He inferred even then that it was not just the isolated Bacterium mazun that contributed to health benefits, but the synergistic combination of specialized yeasts and other lactobacilli [11]. While early scientists contributed to the overall understanding of the role of beneficial microbes, or probiotics, in human health, the isolation of just a few Heratsi and other scholars' works, also using Middle Armenian along with translations in the languages of several surrounding empires [7,8,9]. Written in 1492, in Useless for the Ignorant, Amatsiatsi described principles in experimental medicine recognizable in the scientific method today such as only testing a single medicine on a stable subject, observing and recording the results, increasing or decreasing based on results, taking into account variables like environmental temperature and disease progression, and repeated testing under similar circumstances to confirm results [7].…”

“…While early scientists contributed to the overall understanding of the role of beneficial microbes, or probiotics, in human health, the isolation of just a few Heratsi and other scholars' works, also using Middle Armenian along with translations in the languages of several surrounding empires [7,8,9]. Written in 1492, in Useless for the Ignorant, Amatsiatsi described principles in experimental medicine recognizable in the scientific method today such as only testing a single medicine on a stable subject, observing and recording the results, increasing or decreasing based on results, taking into account variables like environmental temperature and disease progression, and repeated testing under similar circumstances to confirm results [7]. The information he recorded traveling to different countries, collecting herbal remedies, and practicing experimental medicine influenced the use of medicinal plants and dietary remedies in Armenia and surrounding Byzantium for centuries.…”