Galen detail

Claudius Galen

  • Born
    130

    Born

    Galen was born on September 22nd, 129 AD in Pergamon, Turkey.
  • Teenage Years
    145

    Teenage Years

    At age 16, Galen states that in around 145 AD his father had a dream. In his father's dream, the god Asclepius appeared and commanded Nicon to send his son to study medicine. This is how Galen decided to enter medical field and become a surgeon.
  • Late Twenties
    157

    Late Twenties

    In 157 AD, at the age of 28, he returned to Pergamon, Turkey as physician to the gladiators of the High Priest of Asia, one of the most influential and wealthiest men in Asia during this time period.
  • Early Thirties
    160

    Early Thirties

    When Galen was 32 years old, Rome was engaged in the foreign wars that starded in 161 AD. In 162 AD, at the age of 33, Galen went to Rome and started practiscing medicine as a physician. He slowly began to get more popular as the years progressed.
  • Late Adulthood

    Late Adulthood

    In 191 AD, at the age of 62 years old, a fire occured in the Temple of Peace. This fire destroyed many of Galen's work, particularly treatises on philosophy and anatomy. In 198 AD, at the age of 69, Galen became physician to Septimius Severus during his reign in Rome. In 200 AD, at the age of 71, Galen died in Rome, Italy.