Dictionary > Theophrastus

Theophrastus

Theophrastus
(Science: person) theophrastus was born in Lesbos (island of lesbians) and is often called the father of botany.
He was born Tiranos, but aristotle renamed him theophrastus (the divine orator). He was the leading botanist of ancient times and remained unsurpassed until the Renaissance. He created a monumental canon (500 plant varieties) of medical botany, inquiry Into plants.
In this text, he noted that dittany (a mint flavoured plant) from the bitter bark of the devil (dita) tree, is a plant which makes labour in pregnancy easy and may stop pain altogether. From this we realize that he had some idea of anesthaesia.
theophrastus wrote fluently including texts of physics, zoology, psychology, botany, art, music, ethics, politics and logic.
Lived: 370-286 B.C.


You will also like...

Early Earth
The Origins of Life

This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..

Sugar Homeostasis
Sugar Homeostasis

The blood sugar level is regulated by two hormones. The mechanism behind this type of negative feedback control is descr..

Adaptive Radiation
Adaptive Radiation

The diversification of several new species from a recent ancestral source, each adapted to utilize or occupy a vacant ad..

Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
New Zealand’s Unique Geographical History

Explore why New Zealand has such unique flora and fauna, and learn why long periods of geographical isolation. This less..

New Zealand - Biodiversity fauna
New Zealand’s Biodiversity

Find out more about New Zealand's unique biodiversity by exploring a range of different ecosystems and the key role of s..

Thermographic image of face and neck
Regulation of Organic Metabolism, Growth and Energy Balance

The human body is capable of regulating growth and energy balance through various feedback mechanisms. Get to know the e..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics