Galen’s Antimicrobial Laboratory: Exploring the Science of Ancient Remedies against Infection.

Graeco-Roman pharmaceutics remains a largely uncharted field in the history of medicine, particularly from a scientific perspective. The technical aspects of multi-ingredient formulations—how and why substances were selected, processed, and combined—are often overlooked. While modern scientists increasingly recognize the potential efficacy of ancient remedies, they rarely engage with the historical and theoretical dimensions of ancient pharmacology, and they lack access to the classical sources.The GALENA project (Galen's Antimicrobial Laboratory: Exploring Natural Antiquities) addresses this gap by investigating pharmaceutical theory and practice in Galen of Pergamon (129–216 AD), the most influential physician of the Graeco-Roman world, who preserved extensive collections of recipes for remedies he considered most effective. Focusing on formulations for infection-related conditions affecting the eyes and oral cavity, the project combines philological analysis, digital humanities, experimental archaeology, analytical chemistry, and microbiological assays to reconstruct both the intellectual framework and the material outcomes of ancient drug-making.The study will (1) situate Galen’s treatments within his pathology of infection-related diseases; (2) identify recurring patterns in ingredient selection, processing, and combination; and (3) replicate formulations in the laboratory to analyse their chemical composition and assess potential antimicrobial effects.By integrating humanities and laboratory sciences, GALENA will pioneer a genuinely interdisciplinary methodology. The project will enrich the history of medicine, advance our understanding of Graeco-Roman pharmacology, and foster collaboration across disciplines. It will also contribute to the fellow’s career development through a tailored training programme and may provide scientific leads in the search for novel approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance.