The Encyclopedia of Ancient Natural Scientists: The Greek tradition and its many heirs

(Ron) #1

Libanios of Antioch, pseudo (300 – 500 CE?)


A 13th c. Greek MS, Paris, BNF, graecus 2894, contains a work on De hominis generatione
attributed to “Libanios of Antioch,” presumably distinct from the homonymous rhetor.
It seems probable that the work was spuriously ascribed to him either by an accident of
transmission or with the intent to include it in the great late antique literary tradition.
Albeit, the work is typical of the period, represented also by G  N,
De humana natura; N  E, De natura hominis and B  C, On the
origin of man, which recast classical Greek medical anthropology into Christian theological
terms (cf. also L and M). As a result, bodily processes (both in health and
disease) are no longer considered as physiological phenomena resulting from material
causes, but as gifts, punishments, or trials of divine origin, thus reintroducing supernatural
explanations of diseases, as in earlier times (see the H C S
D). Consequently, pathology is merely descriptive and does not investigate the
possible material causes affecting human health.


Diels 2 (1907) 57.
Alain Touwaide


Licinius Atticus (ca 100 BCE – 90 CE)


A P. in G, CMLoc 8.5 (13.182 K.), records that Licinius Atticus
prescribed N’ aromatic ointment for stomach disorders. The cognomen is attested
from the 1st c. BCE (PIR2 A-1333; TLL 2.1135–1138: most famously, C’s friend; cf.
also I A). A. Manlius Torquatus (cos. 241 BCE) is also called “Atticus” in
Augustan-era sources, probably in error (cf. Syme, Roman Papers 3 [1984] 1430–1431;
Rübekeil, Suebica [1992] 156–157).


RE 13.1 (1926) 232 (#37), F.E. Kind.
PTK


C. Licinius Caluus (60 – 47 BCE?)


Possibly the politician, orator, and neoteric poet, C’s rival, Catullus’ friend, born 82
BCE (P 7.165). Martial (14.196) celebrates his lost prose Use of Cold Water, perhaps
detailing sources and types of waters, on which Charisius (GL 1.81) comments that the
stomach is unable to endure very sweet food.


GRL §100; KP 3.850–851 (Macer #2), P.L. Schmidt; OCD3 857, E. Courtney; FLP 201 – 211; BNP 7
(2005) 532–533, P.L. Schmidt.
GLIM


L M ⇒ M L


Licinius Mucianus (70 – 75 CE)


Roman statesman, legate of Lycia ca 57 CE, of Syria 68/69 CE; in the civil war, he sided first
with Otho, then with Vespasian whom he assisted to the throne, was consul for the second
time in 70 CE, and for a third time 72 CE; he died ca 76 CE. P 32.62 and T
(Hist. 1.10, 1.76, 2.5–7, 2.74–84, 3.46–53) give biographical data. In the last years of his life,


LICINIUS MUCIANUS
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