During the 13th century, Demetrios Pepagomenos became the court
physician of Emperor
Michael VIII Palaeologos (r. 1259–1261) and was commissioned by the
Byzantine emperor to compose a work on
gout.[4] In his Σύνταγμα περὶ τῆς ποδάγρας, Pepagomenos considered gout a
diathesis caused by a defective elimination of
excreta.[3] Although Demetrios Pepagomenos is credited for providing a general description of gout, it was John Chumnus (utilizing Pepagomenos's work) who specifically established a proper diet for treating the condition.[5]
Veterinary physician
As a veterinary physician, Demetrios Pepagomenos wrote a treatise on feeding and nursing
hawks (specifically
gyrfalcon[6]) entitled Περὶ τῆς τῶν ἰεράκων ἀνατροφῆς τε καἰ θεραπεὶας.[3] He also wrote a treatise on the care and treatment of
canines entitled Cynosophion although it is presumed that this particular work was perhaps written by
Caelius Aurelianus, a 3rd-century author and translator.[6]
Translation and publication of works
In 1517, Demetrios Pepagomenos's works on gout were translated and published in
Latin by the great post-Byzantine
humanist,
Marcus Musurus, in
Venice.[7] They were also published in
Paris in 1558.[8]
In Mazaris
Demetrios Pepagomenos is lampooned in a 15th-century
satire, Mazaris' Journey to Hades, as a doctor who poisoned himself. Mazaris says he had two sons: the older, Saromates ("Lizard Eyes"), also a doctor, and Theodosios the Little Stinker, a social climber.[9] When Emperor
Manuel II Palaeologos (r. 1391–1425) visited the
Morea in 1415, Pepagomenos was a doctor in his retinue. He was left at
Mystras to serve as court doctor to
Theodore II Palaiologos,
Despot of the Morea (r. 1407–1443).[10] In that capacity, he attended the childbed of
Cleofe Malatesta Palaiogina in 1433. At her subsequent death, he delivered a
funeraloration.[11]
Pepagomenos may have been the copyist of the medical manuscript Paris gr. 2256.[12] He was the recipient of letters from
John Eugenikos,[13] and a correspondent of Cardinal
Bessarion.[14]
Garland, Lynda (2007). "Mazaris's Journey to Hades: Further Reflections and Reappraisal". Dumbarton Oaks Papers. 61. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection: 183–214.
ISSN0070-7546.
Graindor, Paul; Grégoire, Henri; Société Belge d'Études Byzantines; Centre National de Recherches Byzantines; Byzantine Institute of America (1978).
Byzantion. Vol. 48. Brussels, Belgium: Fondation Byzantine.
Mazaris; Seminar Classics 609 (1975). Mazaris' Journey to Hades: Or, Interviews with Dead Men about Certain Officials of the Imperial Court. Buffalo, New York: Department of Classics, State University of New York at Buffalo.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)