Mnesitheus (Greek: Μνησίθεος; 4th century BC) of Athens, was a Greek physician, who probably lived in the 4th century BC, as he is quoted by the comic poet Alexis.[1] He belonged to the Dogmatic school of medicine.[2] He enjoyed a great reputation, and was particularly celebrated for his classification of diseases.[3] He wrote a work "On Diet," Περὶ Ἐδεστῶν, or, according to Galen,[4] Περὶ Ἐδεσμάτων, which is several times quoted by Athenaeus.[5] He wrote another work, "On Tippling",[6] in which he recommended this practice. He is frequently mentioned by Galen, and generally in favourable terms; as also by Rufus of Ephesus, Aulus Gellius,[7] Soranus of Ephesus,[8] Pliny,[9] Plutarch,[10] and Oribasius.[11] His tomb was still existing in Attica in the time of Pausanias.[12]
A physician of this name from Cyzicus in Mysia is quoted by Oribasius.[13]
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology by William Smith (1870).