Alcmaeon of Croton

Among the first physicians and physiologists at the pre-Hippocratic medicine with contradictions and oscillating doctrines was Alcmaeon from Croton in the 6th century BC. For many, he shared as the father of scientific medicine.

Alcmaeon have been a student of Pythagoras and have been born around 510 BC. His father was Peirithus or Perithus. He was most probably born at Croton; at all events he lived in that city for a number of years.

Croton, which he came from, was a scientific metropolis of excellent medical school, run by Alcmaeon for some time To this city – Democedes (one of the most famous doctors in Hellas) arrived to practice medicine for five years.

Alcmaeon developed activity mainly in the area of medicine and natural philosophy with Pythagorean affinity.

Multifaceted thinker, he improved the medicine offering a new point of view to understand the mechanisms determining the health status and the disease. He dealt a variety of physiology issues about the sleep, diet, death, and pregnancy.

In ancient time he was considered as a father of anatomy, which is proof of his very knowledgeable.

Alcmaeon writings are naturalistic, astronomical, psychological and biological. Diogenes Laertius remarks that the contents of his books are for the most part medical, although he also wrote on nature. Fragment II of the present collection contains the opening of one of Alemaeon's books and suggests also the title.
Alcmaeon of Croton

Philolaus of Croton (470-385 BC)

He was born in Croton around 470 BC, eventually moved to Tarentum.

Philolaus comes almost a century after Pythagoras; he was a contemporary of Socrates and Democritus, but carried on a tradition more at home in the mode of thought of earlier thinkers.

He seems to have written a book, On Nature, the first by a Pythagorean.  He has emerged from the shadow of Pythagoras and come to be recognized as an important Pre-Socratic thicker.

Philolaus is thought to be the first Pythagorean to have left a written work. It is for this reason that he has been included, achronistically, along with the Pythagorean School.

Philolaus taught philosophy and mathematics as well as engaging in political life. When the activity of the Pythagorean order became intolerable to the democracy, the order was ousted and Philolaus fled first to Lucania and then to Thebes for refuge.

He seems to have been deeply interested in number theory and mathematics, which he used to interpret man’s purpose and place in the state and the universe.

By applying mathematical concepts to cosmology, Philolaus seems to have brought Pythagorean traditions into the mainstream of Greek intellectual development.

He is also credited with the view that ‘soul’ is a mixture and harmony of the parts of the body.
Philolaus of Croton (470-385 BC)