About Criton of Heraclea
Born AD 50. Criton of Heraclea was a Roman physician.
Criton of Heraclea (, ) was a 2nd-century (c. 100 AD) Greek chief physician and procurator of Roman Emperor Trajan (98–117) in the campaign in Dacia. He is perhaps the Criton mentioned in Martial's Epigrams.
He wrote a work on Cosmetics in four books, which were very popular in Galen's time and which contained almost all that had been written on the same subject by Heraclides of Tarentum, Cleopatra, and others. The contents of each chapter of the four books have been preserved by Galen, who frequently quotes from it. Criton wrote also a work on Simple Medicines of which the fourth book is quoted by Galen; he is also quoted by Aëtius and Paul of Aegina, and may perhaps be the person to whom one of the letters of Apollonius of Tyana is addressed.
Criton also has a historical work, Getica, now lost about the history of Daco-Getae. Getica was at the basis of Trajan's own work, Dacica (or De bello dacico), about his Dacian Wars, which is also lost. He is perhaps the author of a work on Cookery, mentioned by Athenaeus. None of his works seem to be extant, except a few fragments preserved by other authors.
As Trajan's medic, Criton created a mixture consumed daily by the emperor.
Titles of works Cosmetics, a medical treatise Simple Medicines Getica, a work on the history of the Getae
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Criton of Heraclea?
2nd century Greek physician and historian to Emperor Trajan
When was Criton of Heraclea born?
Criton of Heraclea was born in AD 50.
What was Criton of Heraclea's occupation?
Criton of Heraclea was a physician.
What nationality was Criton of Heraclea?
Criton of Heraclea was Roman.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Criton of Heraclea
· DBpedia: Criton of Heraclea
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Criton of Heraclea. https://biography.guide/criton-of-heraclea/
MLA: "Criton of Heraclea." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/criton-of-heraclea/.
Chicago: "Criton of Heraclea." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/criton-of-heraclea/.
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