sea-eagle), the four objects are described and occasionally combined into a single magical
preparation (a powerful amulet), expressing a kind of “alphabetic sympathy.” But the
implicit program of the description (localization, denomination, anatomy, medical and
magical recipes) is unfulfilled, most of the animals being only mentioned. The following
books, also in alphabetic order but more therapeutic than magical, explicate separately and
specifically 46 land animals (2), 54 birds (3), 77 fishes (4), five plants (5) and nine stones (6);
the last book ends after the third letter (only 280 words). The treatment is equally uneven in
Books 2–6, focusing on medical uses and detailing complex recipes. Due to the relative
independence of the books and flexibility of the classifications (in Book 2 are treated sea-
flea, ant, spider, viper,.. ., and in Book 3 bee and glow-worm), there are repetitions: thrice
introduced is the seal, and the benefic power of his mustache and skin thrice mentioned
(1.21, 2.41, 4.67), the peony twice (1.3, 5.3). The book (even when addressing such rare
animals as giraffe or halcyon) offers hardly an original observation, but incredibly rich
pharmacological data, corresponding to P NH 28 – 32, chapters of M’ Iatrika,
and D (for Book 5).
Ed.: D. Kaimakis, Die Kyraniden (1976).
RE 12.1 (1924) 127–134, R. Ganszyniec; M. Wellmann, Marcellus von Side als Arzt und die Koiraniden des
Hermes Trismegistos (1934); West (1982); OCD3 421, J. Scarborough; D. Bain, “Some textual and
lexical notes on Cyranides ‘Books Five and Six’,” C&M 47 (1996) 151–168.
Arnaud Zucker
Kurillos (of Jerusalem? Alexandria?) (350 – 540 CE)
The earlier archbishop (“Cyril”), of Jerusalem, consecrated ca 350, and died 386/387 aged
ca 70; he defended the primacy of Jerusalem, and advocated the sanctity of places. The
later man, born ca 378, succeeded his uncle Theophilos as archbishop of Alexandria in 412,
instigated the lynching of H, actively suppressed pagan and Jewish practice, wrote
against D T, and sparked the monophysite/dyophysite controversy; he
died 444. A A 9.24 (p. 508 Cornarius; omitted by Zervos 1911: 324–325)
credits “Kurillos the archbishop” with a digestif, composed of laurel-leaves, kostos,
malabathron, pennyroyal, St. John’s wort, salt, plus ground seeds of celery, coriander,
and fennel, macerated for a few hours in vinegar. Aëtios 9.50 (p. 557 Cornarius; Zervos’
edition ends earlier) credits “Kurillos” with a plaster for dysentery (containing acacia, aloes,
frankincense, myrrh, oak-galls, roses, etc. in myrtle oil, pitch, beeswax, and date-wine).
Diels 2 (1907) 25 records two MSS attributing medical works to Kurillos: Parisin. 1389
(16th c.) f. 387V, De mensuris & ponderibus (cf. A), and Coislin. 335 (15th c.) f. 1,
medical extracts. All the attributions may be scribal errors for (e.g.) the arkhiatros K
E, but cf. B C and the metrology of E. Both arch-
bishops are received as saints by the Orthodox and Roman churches.
Fabricius (1726) 134; RE 12.1 (1924) 175 (#6), F.E. Kind; OCD3 422 – 423, J.F. Mathews, and 423,
E.D. Hunt.
PTK
Kuros of Edessa (50 – 540 CE)
A A 6.91 (CMG 8.2, p. 237) entitles him arkhiatros, and records his pill for
nasal polyps (cf. G, CMGen 3.3 [12.678–679 K.]), composed of almost 20 ingredients,
KURILLOS (OF JERUSALEM? ALEXANDRIA?)