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Erasistratus
Was a Alexandrian based physician, anatomist, and scientist of Greek origin that helped found the methodist teachings of medicine in Alexandria whilst opposing traditional humoral theories of Hippocratic ideologies. Together, with Herophilus, is credited by historians as the potential founder of neuroscience due to his acknowledgements of nerves and their roles in motor control through the brain and skeletal muscles. Seen as one of the first physicians/scientists to conduct recorded dissections and potential vivisections alongside Herophilus.

Relationship with Herophilus and other Notable Figures
Erasistratus is frequently mentioned in historical documents with other significant figures of both his time period of the 3rd and 4th century BC and afterwards thanks to his accomplishments and advancements in the field of medicine. The most prominent person he is referenced with from when he was living was that of Herophilus, another physician that was an important part of ancient Alexandrian medicine with Erasistratus. Together, Erasistratus and Herophilus attributed to the revolutionary growth of knowledge in the Hellenistic period in not only science but culture as well in accordance to the writings of historians of antiquity. Although, it is noted that Erasistratus and Herophilus did not share similar ideologies in the science of medicine as well as its practice. Erasistratus is said to have natural philosophical views as compared to others during the time, paving the way for the teaching of methodologists in the field of medicine. The publications of some of Galen's work, from which there are many mentions of Erasistratus and Herophilus, led to further understanding of the differing ideologies.

Much of what is known of Erasistratus and that of his work he did in the 3rd and 4th BC has become known through the work done by Galen. Galen frequently notes the past ideas that had became prevalent from the work Erasistratus when comparing it to that of his work and ideas. Some historians have suggested that due to Erasistratus's disagreements with the ideologies found within Hippocratic teachings and beliefs, as well as notebly phlebotomy, that Galen would seem to reticule some work that Erasistratus had synthesized. However, there are numerous times that Galen backs the ideas of Erasistratus as well, leading to opposing claims that Galen was generally negative when discussing the ideologies produced by Erasistratus.

Downfall and Loss of Influence After Death
By the time both Erasistratus and Herophilus has passed, the empiricist school of medicine in Alexandria reigned as the most widely accepted ideology and method for practicing medicine for several centuries. One notable event that historians credit to downfall of Erasistratus's ideas and influence was that of the Syrian War that occurred from 246–241 BC due to its negative effect on the Alexandrian society, reducing its ability to fund programs that would continue the teachings of Erasistratus. Although, even before the Syrian War devastated the culture and economy of the Alexandrian society, Ptolemy Malefactor in 145 BC negatively impacted the continuation of Erasistratus's teachings and ideas, as well as other Alexandrian teachings, as he pushed for Alexandrian intelligentsia to be removed from the Alexandrian society completely. Ultimately, the destruction of many works, including that of Erasistratus and Herophilus, due to a fire that erupted at the great library in 391 AD may have been the greatest reason why there are limited sources of material to understand the teachings and work of Erasistratus outside that of the references to the Alexandrian physicianfrom Galen's writings. Furthermore, it may also be the event that resulted in none of Erasistratus's original writing remaining.

Discovery of Information Regarding the Alexandrian Physician
Until quite recently, the late 20th century, many documents concerning the works of Erasistratus, as well as Herophilus, were undiscovered. Therefore, the importance of Erasistratus in the advancement of medical knowledge was limitedly understood with K.F.H. Marx and R. Fuchs assembling several fragments of written work by both Erasistratus and Herophilus from german texts as the only substantial amounts of informative sources comprising of Erasistratus and Herophilus. Similar sets of fragmented texts was also collected in English by J.F. Dobson. Thanks to H. von Staden and an edition by Garofalo in the late 1980's and early 1990's, many important sources of information regarding the Alexandrian physicians came to light.