The Perspective of Soryani School on Flourishing Medicine in Ancient Persia and Early Centuries of Islam

Abstract

Soryani School is one of the most important medical schools dating back from the ancient world to the Islamic period. Since its establishment (contemporary with Alexander) up to the empowerment of Ashkanid and Sasanid dynasties, and since Arabs attacked the foundation of Abbasid dynasty (a period of about 1000 years), the Soryani School which was very active in Mesopotamia and Northern Syria, made a big progress in medicine. The School was formed in scientific centers like Jondishapour, Raha (Edasa), Nasibin and Harran. Translation contributed to the transmission of its scientific achievements at the time of Jondishapour establishment (contemporary with Khosro Anushirvan) and Baghdad School (contemporary with Haroun Al-Rashid and Ma'mun). With its scientific schools, hospitals and well-equipped libraries, Soryani School gained an international reputation. Great scholars and scientists who rose in this school made valuable innovations and progress in medicine. In this study, we aimed to discuss this great scientific center and some of its most important scholars.