On My Own Books

On My Own Books is a bibliographical work by the ancient Greek physician and philosopher Galen, written around 191 CE. The text serves as an autobiography of Galen's writings, cataloging his numerous medical and philosophical treatises. Throughout the book, Galen lists and describes his publications while explaining the circumstances that led to their creation. He addresses issues of authenticity and corrects misattributions of texts that were falsely circulating under his name. The work provides insight into medical scholarship and textual transmission in the Roman Empire during the second century CE. Galen also discusses his methods of organizing and categorizing his works, offering guidance to readers on how to approach his extensive bibliography. This text stands as a key document for understanding both Galen's career trajectory and the broader intellectual culture of his time. The work reveals themes of scholarly authority, professional reputation, and the relationship between authors and their texts in classical antiquity.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Galen's overall work: Medical students, historians, and academics reviewing Galen's translated works note his precise anatomical descriptions and systematic approach to medicine. Reviews focus on his contributions to anatomical understanding and medical methodology. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of anatomical structures - Detailed surgical techniques - Logical organization of medical knowledge - Integration of philosophy with medical practice "His descriptions of muscles and bones remain remarkably accurate," notes one academic reviewer on JSTOR. Common criticisms: - Dense, repetitive writing style - Overconfidence in humorism theory - Reliance on animal rather than human dissections - Limited accessibility for non-specialists On Google Books and academic platforms, Galen's translated works receive mostly 4-5 star ratings from medical historians and researchers. General readers give lower ratings (3-3.5 stars), citing difficulty understanding ancient medical terminology and concepts. Most reviews come from academic sources rather than consumer platforms like Goodreads, where few ratings exist.

Natural History by Pliny the Elder This ancient encyclopedic work chronicles medical knowledge, natural phenomena, and scientific observations from the Roman world.

On Medicine by Celsus The text presents Greek and Roman medical practices, surgical techniques, and treatments in systematic detail.

On the Natural Faculties by Galen This foundational medical text explores physiological processes and organ functions through empirical observation.

The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna This medical encyclopedia synthesizes Greek and Roman medical knowledge with Islamic medical traditions and original observations.

On Acute and Chronic Diseases by Caelius Aurelianus The work provides clinical descriptions of diseases and their treatments from the methodist school of medicine in ancient Rome.

🔖 In "On My Own Books," Galen created what amounts to the first known author bibliography in history, cataloging and describing his own works. 📚 The book was written late in Galen's life (around 191 CE) after a fire in Rome destroyed many of his original manuscripts, prompting him to create this comprehensive record. ✍️ Galen lists approximately 140 works in this book, though he is believed to have written over 500 treatises in total on medicine, philosophy, and other subjects. 🏛️ The text provides invaluable insights into the organization of ancient libraries and book trade in Rome during the 2nd century CE. 📜 Galen included detailed information about which of his works were genuine, spurious, or incomplete, helping future generations authenticate his writings - a concern that proved prescient as many fake "Galenic" texts later circulated.