Gluko ̄n (250 – 25 BCE)
S L 206 – 207 records his two plasters, the “I,” best of its kind, suitable
for trepanation and belly-incisions, the other useful for gladiators. Despite the rarity of the
name at this period (LGPN), the Gluko ̄n suspected of hastening Vibius Pansa’s death with
poison (C, ad Brut. 1.6.2) is probably distinct (contra Korpela). Cf. also E and
H.
Michler (1968) 86–87, 129; Korpela (1987) 158.
PTK
Gorgias of Alexandria (100 – 50 BCE)
Surgeon whom C cites on navel lesions (7.pr.3, 7.14.2). Gorgias gave three causes (not
preserved by Celsus) and stated that breath (spiritus, i.e., pneuma) occasionally ruptures into
such lesions. Gossen suggested a 2nd c. BCE date.
RE 7.2 (1912) 1619 (#11), H. Gossen; Michler (1968) 61, 105.
GLIM
Gorgias of Leontinoi (ca 460 – 380 BCE)
Born ca 480, a celebrated orator of the Sophistic movement, who composed a (lost) pamph-
let on Eleatic philosophy offering arguments (reproduced by S E and by the
O M, X, G) that (1) nothing exists, or, (2) if anything exists, it
cannot be known, or else, (3) it cannot be communicated. The significance of the three
arguments can be summarized as follows. (1) By reusing and ridiculing Eleatic arguments, it
promoted research into logic and questions of ontology. (2) More inspiring are his consider-
ations concerning problems of knowing, probably drawing on contemporary discussions (cf.
P) on the relationship between sensation and reflection. He asserts that all sense
data and arguments have an equal claim for truth. Mansfeld adduces evidence from his
other speeches that Gorgias, nevertheless, allowed for personal experience as a criterion for
a restricted validity. (3) The difficulties Gorgias raises concerning the communication of
information are of considerable interest. First, he emphasizes the radical difference of
media and information, which jeopardizes decipherable correspondence. Second, he adds
the problem of interpretation, vs. understanding, which, he claims, is subjective, and differ-
ent with each individual. Further, he is said to have touched upon the theory of perception
(B4) and of fire (B5) using the Empedoklean theory of pores, but in what context remains
unclear.
J. Mansfeld, “Historical and Philosophical Aspects of Gorgias’ On What is not,” in L. Montoneri and
F. Romano, edd., Gorgia e la Sofistica: Atti del convegno internazionale (Leontini – Catania 12–15 dic. 1983)
= Siculorum Gymnasium 38 (1985) 243–271; P. Woodruff in Long (1999) 290–310.
István M. Bugár
Granius (120 BCE – 75 CE)
Listed among medical sources whom P consulted (1.ind.28), and cited for a marvel
about bladder-stones excised by iron and child-birth, 28.42.
RE 7.2 (1912) 1819 (#11), H. Gossen.
Jan Bollansée, Karen Haegemans, and Guido Schepens
GLUKO ̄N