Final Answer:
Galen wrote several volumes that summarized all the medical knowledge of his day and was regarded as the greatest authority in medicine for centuries.
Explanation:
Galen, a Greek physician born in 129 AD, made significant contributions to the field of medicine, compiling vast knowledge into several volumes that became foundational in the history of medicine. His works covered anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology, consolidating medical knowledge of his time. Galen's influence endured for centuries, with his texts serving as primary medical references in both the Eastern and Western worlds.
Galen's impact stemmed from his comprehensive approach to medicine. He combined empirical observation with the teachings of earlier physicians, primarily Hippocrates, to create a body of work that remained influential for around 1,500 years. His writings covered various aspects of medicine, including detailed descriptions of anatomy obtained through dissections of animals and extrapolation to human anatomy, theories on the circulatory system, and extensive contributions to understanding pathology and pharmacology.
The longevity of Galen's authority in medicine can be attributed to the transmission of his texts through generations and their integration into medical education across different cultures. Galen's synthesis of knowledge persisted until the Renaissance, where advancements in anatomy and experimental science began to challenge some of his theories. Nonetheless, his impact on the history and development of medicine remains indisputable.