RE 8.1 (1912) 487–488 (#49), H. Daebritz and G. Funaioli; Düring (1932); KP 2.1043 (#19),
H. Gärtner; Barker (1989); Mathiesen (1999); BNP 6 (2005) 171–172 (#21), S. Fornaro.
David Creese
He ̄rakleide ̄s of Taras (Mech.) (220 – 200 BCE)
The bright son of a craftsman who became an arkhitekto ̄n (engineer) but was exiled on
suspicion of treason and fled to the Romans, then defected to Philip V of Macedon (P-
Book 13, fr.4.4–8; D S 28.2, 28.9), and served on his staff (Syll. 552;
Livy 31.16.3, etc.). M says He ̄rakleide ̄s invented the sambuke ̄.
M.J.T. Lewis, “When was Biton?” Mnemosyne 52 (1999) 159–168.
PTK and GLIM
He ̄rakleide ̄s of Taras (Med.) (95 – 55 BCE)
The Empiricist physician who in ancient times had
the most renown ( praised by G Hipp.Artic.
18A.735 K. and C A Acut. 1.166
[CML 6.1.1, p. 114]) and the most fortune (almost 100
fragments survive). He was a pupil of M in
Alexandria, but afterwards he joined the Empiricist
school (under the influence of P
K, if he is to be identified with He ̄rakleide ̄s
pupil of Ptolemaios and teacher of the philosopher
A mentioned by D L
9.115–116 in his catalogue of the Skeptics). As an
Empiricist, he probably still worked in Alexandria (as
his dissection of human bodies suggests). His date, once
controversial, is guaranteed by his use of the work
of the Erasistratean H, and that he was stud-
ied by A K; for C he lived
“somewhat later” than Apollo ̄nios and G
(pr.10). The images of Mantias and He ̄rakleide ̄s
contained in the Vienna codex of D
(6th c.) probably come from the Hebdomades of V, who mentioned He ̄rakleide ̄s in his
Menippeae (fr.445 Ast).
Compared to earlier Empiricists, he theorized a more sustained use of rational and
causal argumentation (logos), thus toning down the contrast with the rival schools. He
outlined Empirical doctrine in a work On the Empiricist Sect, from which Gale ̄n extracted a
lost Synopsis in seven books (On My Own Books 9 [2.115 MMH]). He ̄rakleide ̄s was probably
used by Celsus for his exposition of Empirical doctrine (or perhaps for his own exposition)
in the proem of De medicina, and by Gale ̄n in On medical experience.
He ̄rakleide ̄s’ interest in pharmacology is influenced by the work of Mantias, who had
also distinguished himself in that field. One of his pharmaceutical works was dedicated
to A T; another was dedicated “to Astudamas” (both were used by
Gale ̄n in CMGen and CMLoc). Specific works by him concerned theriatrics and military
pharmacopoeia. His Symposium (used by Athe ̄naios in Deipn.) was devoted to dietetics,
He ̄rakle ̄ides of Taras (Vind.
Med. Gr. l, f.2V) © Österreichische
Nationalbibliothek
HE ̄RAKLEIDE ̄S OF TARAS (MECH.)