Thessalos and Drako ̄n in antiquity were held to be the founders of the Dogmatists, who
believed that they should investigate not only the obvious, but also underlying and hidden
causes of disease. In a letter concerning mathematics, supposedly from Hippokrate ̄s to
Thessalos (but generally believed to date much later), Hippokrate ̄s explains the importance
of geometry so that the physician can know better the location of the bones in the body, to
correct them when they are twisted; he also tells him how to calculate changes in fevers
(9.392 Littré). Thessalos is the supposed author of the Embassy (9.404–428 Littré), although
it is clearly not by him, but a later fiction. See also S, Vita Hippocratis 15 (CMG 4,
pp. 175–178); Souda I-564 (“Hippokrate ̄s”); Tzetze ̄s, Historiarum variarum chiliades 7.968–973.
R. Walzer, “Über die Siebenmonatkinder,” Rivista di studi orientali 15 (1935) 323–357 at 345; RE 6A.1
(1936) 165–168 (#5), H. Diller; A. Nikitas, Untersuchungen zu den Epidemienbuchern II IV VI des Corpus
Hippocraticum (Diss. Hamburg, 1968); J. Benedum, “Griechische Artzinschriften aus Kos,” ZPE 25
(1977) 265–276 at 272–274; Sherwin-White (1978) 262, 278; von Staden (1989) T16a–b, 36a–b;
W.D. Smith, Hippocrates. Pseudepigraphic Writings (1990) 2, 4–5, 10, 39–40, 101, 111; Pinault (1992)
8 – 9, 11, 18, 19, 22, 25, 37, 39, 48, 75, 83, 85; NP 12/1.454–455 (#5), V. Nutton.
Robert Littman
Thessalos of Tralleis (ca 20 – 70 CE)
One of the reputed founders of the Methodist medico-philosophical sect, a claim but-
tressed by his letter to Nero: “I have founded a new sect, which is the only true one, as none
of the earlier doctors propounded anything advantageous either for the preservation of
health or the curing of disease” (G, MM 1.2.1 [10.7–8 K.]; Hankinson 1991: 6).
Gale ̄n avers that Thessalos, raised in “the women’s quarters, was the son of a lowly wool-
carder” (On Crises 2.3 [9.657 K. = Alexanderson 1967: 136–137]), but the scattered and
often contradictory details regarding Thessalos’ “life, times, and doctrines” allow no firm
conclusions (Edelstein 1935: 358–363/1967: 173–179; Frede 1982: 15, 23; Vallance 1990:
132; and Tecusan pp. 9–16). That some Thessalos composed a tract addressed to some
emperor (probably either Tiberius or Claudius, although one MS has “Germanicus Caesar”)
on medical astrology (linking pharmaceutically useful plants with planets and zodiac con-
stellations) is attested by the MSS (Boudreaux pp. 134–165; Friedrich pp. 45–273), but
scholarly opinion is neatly divided on its authorship: “by” Thessalos (Friedrich; Smith
pp. 172–189; Fowden pp. 162–165), “probably” by Thessalos (Diller col. 180–182; Scarbor-
ough pp. 155–156), or total forgery (Pingree pp. 83–86). Tecusan “eliminated from the
start every possibility that the famous zodiac produced under his name.. .could have been
written by Thessalos or any other Methodist” (pp. 61–62). One could, however, easily
associate medical astrology with the simple and simplistic theories espoused by Thessalos.
Gale ̄n repeatedly excoriates for Thessalos “frivolity” (e.g. Crises 2.3, above). Thessalos’ low
status, recent date, and medical daring merits Gale ̄n’s deepest scorn: “.. .Thessalos not only
especially cultivated the wealthy in Rome, but also promised to teach the art in six months,
and thus readily attracted many pupils. For if those who wish to become doctors have no need
of geometry, astronomy, logic, or music, or any of the other noble disciplines, as our fine
friend Thessalos promised, and they do not even require long experience and familiarity
with subject-matter of the art in question, then the way is clear to anyone who wants to
become a doctor without any expenditure or effort.. .” (MM 1.1.5 [10.4–5 K.], Hankinson
1991: 4–5; cf. Diller col. 169).
Gale ̄n’s vitriol obscures much of Thessalos’ doctrine, which derives ultimately from a
THESSALOS OF TRALLEIS