Metrodora Female Doctor, On Women’s (Μητροδώρα ἰατρῖνα, Γυναικείων)

Metrodora was a writer who authored a text on gynaecological topics. Her work, known since the 19th century, was first published in 1945 by Aristotelis Kouzis under the title: “From Metrodora, On the Female Ailments of the Womb” (Ἐκ τῶν Μητροδώρας, Περὶ τῶν γυναικείων παθῶν τῆς μήτρας). This text is fragmentary, as indicated by its title. Until now, it was known to survive in only one manuscript: Laur. Plut. 75.3. However, after thorough study and research, Metrodora’s work has been identified in another manuscript. In this newly found manuscript, all the previously known recipes are present and match word for word, while the text is significantly more extensive, containing three times as many recipes. Moreover, not only is the author's name confirmed, but for the first time, the title of her work is also revealed: Metrodora female doctor, On Women’s (Μητροδώρα ἰάτρινα, Γυναικείων). Therefore, the authenticity and authorship of the text are indisputable. Additionally, gaps in the previous edition are now filled, confirming that there were omissions of words, sentences, and expressions that caused syntactical issues and difficulties in understanding the text. This presentation will introduce, for the first time, the complete text of Metrodora, highlighting its similarities and differences while comparing it with other gynaecological texts. This comparison will demonstrate the originality and uniqueness of Metrodora’s work, as well as the dissemination and influence of her recipes in medical and pharmaceutical texts of the Byzantine era.