Calliphon and Democedes of Croton (Καλλιφῶν καὶ Δημοκήδης οἱ Κροτωνιᾶται)

Life No distinct biographical information exists for a collaborative pair named Calliphon and Democedes. The historical figure Democedes of Croton was a celebrated physician of the late 6th century BCE. Herodotus records that he served at the courts of Polycrates of Samos and Darius I of Persia, where he successfully treated the king’s dislocated ankle and Queen Atossa’s abscessed breast [1][2]. His father, Calliphon, is mentioned as a worshipper of Asclepius but not as a practicing physician [1][2].

Works No written works are attributed to Calliphon and Democedes as a pair. Democedes himself is not credited with any surviving medical texts and is remembered only through historical anecdote [1][2].

Significance Their significance lies in the early anecdotal history of Greek medicine. Democedes exemplifies the itinerant, court-employed physician of the Archaic period, and his story in Herodotus illustrates the high value placed on Greek medical expertise across cultures [1][2]. There is no evidence of a joint medical tradition founded by them.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: Democedes: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Democedes 2. Perseus Digital Library, Herodotus, Histories 3.125, 3.129-137: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126%3Abook%3D3%3Achapter%3D125