Harpalos (Astron.) (500 – 400 BCE)
Proposed an oktaete ̄ris, with intercalated months differing from K’, as well
as a year of 365 days 13 equinoctial hours (C De die natali 18 – 19). If correct,
Harpalos would have expressed parameters in a different form, e.g., 24 years of 8,773 days.
A (Arati phen. 1366–1370) seems to place him before M. The shared name and
technical professions suggested to Diels (1904) that our Harpalos may be identifiable
with the Harpalos attested in a Hellenistic papyrus as among the architects who built the
pontoon/cable bridge across the Hellespont for Xerxe ̄s (480 BCE).
H. Diels, Laterculi Alexandrini (1904) 8; DK 6A4, n.12.
Henry Mendell
Harpalos (Pharm.) (120 BCE – 80 CE)
A records three of Harpalos’ treatments, a compound for auricular inflam-
mation and two plasters. The ear compound, according with P’, contained myrrh,
nard, saffron, burnt copper, opium, castoreum, and alum, taken with must when the ears
are runny, when painful with rose oil (G CMLoc 3.1 [12.627–628 K.]). The first plaster for
extraction was compounded of ammo ̄niakon incense, beeswax, iris, frankincense granules,
pepper, raw sulfur, pumice, terebinth, and olive oil. The second, containing terebinth,
pumice, natron, ammo ̄niakon incense, beeswax, and a little olive oil, was mixed with
vinegar and red ochre for color (Gale ̄n CMGen 6.4 [13.928–929 K.]). Gale ̄n also preserves his
long-lasting remedy for quartan fevers, comprised of myrrh, white or long pepper, opium,
castoreum, cardamom, and sagape ̄non, taken with wine by the mortally ill, decocted with
spring water and administered with hydromel to feverish patients (Antid. 2.10 [14.167 K.]).
A rare name, attested most often in northern Greece, 4th c. BCE to 1st c. CE (LGPN).
RE 7.2 (1912) 2401 (#6), H. Gossen.
GLIM
Harpokra ̄s of Alexandria (250 BCE? – 80 CE)
Traditionally identified with the Harpocras iatroliptes ( physiotherapist) from Egyptian
Memphis who treated Pliny the Younger, who in turn petitioned Trajan to grant the phys-
ician Roman citizenship (Epist. 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.10). However, the fact that our evidence
comes from A (in G) sets an earlier terminus, and the recipes quoted
therein are not physiotherapeutic. Andromakhos attributes six recipes to Harpokra ̄s, one of
which is clearly his own: against pain in the ears, compounded from spikenard, myrrh,
saffron, opium, etc. (CMLoc 3.1, 12.631 K.: “Harpokrate ̄s”). Other formulae are “according
to” Harpokra ̄s (i.e., possibly from a collection by him): against sciatica, compounded from
burnt swallow nestlings, honey, green myrtle sap, and myrrh (CMLoc 6.6, 12.943 K.), an
unguent comprising fenugreek, parsley seeds, cardamom, natron, panax, iris, terebinth,
ammo ̄niakon incense, etc., in bull-fat, beeswax, honey, and vinegar (CMGen 7.7, 13.978–
979 K.), and three powders of realgar, malachite, and orpiment: against overgrowth of flesh
(CMGen 4.8, 13.729 K.), against bleeding (CMGen 5.13, 13.838 K.), and to close wounds
(ibid., 13.840–841 K.). References to compound medicines under H may be
so-called in honor of Harpokra ̄s, as the Theodotion was for T.
RE 7.2 (1912) 2410 (#4), H. Gossen and A. Stein; Fabricius (1972) 226.
Alain Touwaide
HARPALOS (ASTRON.)