Machaon, Son of Asclepius, the Father of Surgery

Abstract

The first description of organized surgical care is given in Homer's epic poem "Iliad'', even though evidence of performing surgical operations can be traced back to the history of ancient civilizations. Machaon (ca. 1300 BC), the son of Asclepius, was described as a skillful and confident therapist, whose lineage ensured a unique training. He lived in an era when the reality was shaped by myths, and natural phenomena were ruled by the will of the Olympian gods. It was at that time when philosophers and scientists rediscovered the world that surgery was born. We review and present Machaon's story, as he is not only the first documented surgeon ever mentioned in written records in Greek history, but he also proved himself to be a valiant soldier at the battlefield, during the Trojan War. It is no wonder that the life of such a charismatic man, living in a place and time of prosperity and steady evolution of both the scientific and the spiritual world, became a demigod patron of surgical treatment and a landmark in the history of medicine.

Keywords: ancient hellenic mythology; battlefield surgery; homer; iliad; trojan war.

Figure 1. Nestor's palace in Ano Eglianou

Nestor's palace in Ano Eglianou, Pylos (top side) and the Mycenaean Table with the term physician engraved in Linear B, ca 2300 BC, National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Eq 146. [Personal collection of G.Tsoucalas]

Figure 2. Sthenelos bandaging the wounded finger of Diomedes

Sthenelos bandaging the wounded finger of Diomedes, ink drawing after a Chalcidian neck-amphora (now lost) ca 550 BC [https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BF:Sthenelos_bandaging_the_wounded_finger_of_Diomedes._Ink_draw_Wellcome_V0015940.jpg]

Figure 3. Asclepius with his sons

Asclepius with his sons Podalirius and Machaon and his three daughters, with supplicants, Greek relief ca 470-450 BC, found at Thyrea, Greece, National Archaeological Museum of Athens. [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/ekhkh79b]

Figure 4. Achilles tending Patroclus

Attic red-figure kylix, ca 500 BC, Antikenmuseen, Berlin. [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Akhilleus_Patroklos_Antikensammlung_Berlin_F2278.jpg].

Figure 5. Greek swordsmen observe Machaon

Greek swordsmen observe Machaon who removes the arrow from the wound of the chest of Menelaus, chalcography, Nenci F, 1837. [https://classical-inquiries.chs.harvard.edu/a-sampling-of-comments-on-iliad-scroll-4/]

Figure 6. Philoctetes, wounded, is abandoned by the Greek expedition en route to Troy

Philoctetes, wounded, is abandoned by the Greek expedition en route to Troy, detail of an Attic red-figure stamnos, ca 460 BC, Musée du Louvre, Paris. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philoctetes#/media/File:Philoctetes_Hermonax_Louvre_G413.jpg]

Figure 7. Machaon binds Philoktitos who turns to speak to him

Machaon binds Philoktitos who turns to speak to him, Etruscan sealing stone, 2nd half of the 5th century BC, British Museum, London [https://www.quora.com/Can-people-who-understand-Attic-Greek-understand-Koine-Greek-and-vice-versa].

Figure 8. The tomb of Machaon

The tomb of Machaon in Necropolis of Gerenia, Messenia, Greece - personal collection of G.Tsoucalas