More than a thousand years ago, Alexandria was one of the world’s great centres of medical learning. Among its most influential figures was Gesius, a renowned professor whose teachings helped shape health practices across the Islamic world and medieval Europe. His writings were thought to be lost, erased and overwritten on parchment, buried beneath layers of later texts.Gesius (Gessius) of Petra was a physician and philospher who worked in Alexandria in the fifth to six century CE.Now, thanks to the discovery of five newly identified palimpsests - manuscripts that were scraped and reused centuries ago - those lost texts may soon be readable again. Hidden beneath newer writings are Syriac translations of Gesius’ commentaries on the works of Galen, one of the most important physicians in history.
For the research on the Syriac palimpsest of a translation of a Greek work of the Roman-era physician Galen, also at the University of Manchester, see here and follow the links.
For many other PaleoJudaica posts on palimpsest manuscripts, see here and links, plus here and here and links.
Bit by bit, a letter at a time, whatever it takes. Until we're done.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
