Galen on the Greek Language of Medicine: Echoes of Sophistic Debates on Atticism and Asianism

The Galenic corpus of texts provides extensive material for the study of not only medicine and philosophy of the 2nd century but also the cultural and intellectual life in Rome during this period. The aim of this article is to analyze a series of excerpts from Galen's works that reveal his role as one of the Roman intellectuals in the sophistic debates on Atticism and Asianism, and to clarify his contribution to maintaining terminological consistency in the Greek language of medicine. Although Galen wrote scientific and technical prose, he paid close attention to issues of language and style, emphasizing the classical Greek education he received in his childhood and his adherence to the Attic tradition. Linguistic digressions aimed at clarifying archaic terminology are found in Galen's numerous commentaries on the works of Hippocrates, where he explains difficult passages by referring to classical Attic literature. Additionally, Galen drew on the Greek language prevalent in Asia Minor, which he also used to interpret Hippocratic terms. Beyond classical literature, he was well acquainted with the Hellenistic lexicographical tradition and criticized contemporary physicians for introducing neologisms unsupported by prior medical traditions. Galen's approach to language was not limited to literary sources; he often relied on personal experience and regional usage, particularly in pharmacology. Galen's remarks on language demonstrate his deep knowledge of Greek dialects and his commitment to preserving terminological consistency rooted in the texts of ancient medical authors. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the period known as the Second Sophistic, filling some gaps in the field of sophistic debates on the language of science, particularly the language of medicine.

Galen, Galenic Corpus, Second Sophistic, Greek language of medicine, lexicology, ancient commentary, standardization of terminology, Atticism, Asianism, Greek dialects