The Instant Healer: Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī’s Theriac Called al-Barshaʿthā (Study, Editio Princeps, and Turkish Translation)

Tuna Tunagöz

Article Details

The Instant Healer: Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī’s Theriac Called al-Barshaʿthā (Study, Editio Princeps, and Turkish Translation)

Authors:

Tuna Tunagöz

Publisher:

Cukurova University

Main Topics:

İslam Felsefesi

Journal:

Çukurova Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi (ÇÜİFD) Vol.24 Issue 2, pp.205-254

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001337940

pISSN:

2564-6427

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Theriac refers to a class of medicinal formulas developed to treat a wide range of ailments, particularly venomous bites. This concept, along with some of its associated literature, was translated into Arabic, leading to the development of numerous new formulas within Islamic medicine. Among these is al-Barshaʿthā, a theriac formulated by Abū l-Barakāt al-Baghdādī. Its name, derived from the Syriac bar shaʿthah ܒܪ ܫܥܬܗ literally son of its hour, figuratively instantaneous or immediate reflects both its purported rapid efficacy and the evolutionary process of its development. The formulas origins can be traced back to the Philoneiōn theriac of Philo of Tarsus, a first-century physician. This study begins by exploring the historical context leading up to al-Barshaʿthās development. The formula itself, originally recorded in a cryptic manner according to ancient practice, has been reconstructed through careful analysis of marginal notes within the extant manuscripts, supplemented by insights from relevant medical and geographical texts. The critical edition presented here is based on the six most reliable manuscripts out of twelve identified, edited according to ISAMs edition method ITNES, and accompanied by a Turkish translation.

 Theriac refers to a class of medicinal formulas developed to treat a wide range of ailments, particularly venomous bites. This concept, along with some of its associated literature, was translated into Arabic, leading to the development of numerous new formulas within Islamic medicine. Among these is al-Barshaʿthā, a theriac formulated by Abū l-Barakāt al-Baghdādī. Its name, derived from the Syriac bar shaʿthah ܒܪ ܫܥܬܗ literally son of its hour, figuratively instantaneous or immediate reflects both its purported rapid efficacy and the evolutionary process of its development. The formulas origins can be traced back to the Philoneiōn theriac of Philo of Tarsus, a first-century physician. This study begins by exploring the historical context leading up to al-Barshaʿthās development. The formula itself, originally recorded in a cryptic manner according to ancient practice, has been reconstructed through careful analysis of marginal notes within the extant manuscripts, supplemented by insights from relevant medical and geographical texts. The critical edition presented here is based on the six most reliable manuscripts out of twelve identified, edited according to ISAMs edition method ITNES, and accompanied by a Turkish translation.

 Theriac refers to a class of medicinal formulas developed to treat a wide range of ailments, particularly venomous bites. This concept, along with some of its associated literature, was translated into Arabic, leading to the development of numerous new formulas within Islamic medicine. Among these is al-Barshaʿthā, a theriac formulated by Abū l-Barakāt al-Baghdādī. Its name, derived from the Syriac bar shaʿthah ܒܪ ܫܥܬܗ literally son of its hour, figuratively instantaneous or immediate reflects both its purported rapid efficacy and the evolutionary process of its development. The formulas origins can be traced back to the Philoneiōn theriac of Philo of Tarsus, a first-century physician. This study begins by exploring the historical context leading up to al-Barshaʿthās development. The formula itself, originally recorded in a cryptic manner according to ancient practice, has been reconstructed through careful analysis of marginal notes within the extant manuscripts, supplemented by insights from relevant medical and geographical texts. The critical edition presented here is based on the six most reliable manuscripts out of twelve identified, edited according to ISAMs edition method ITNES, and accompanied by a Turkish translation.

 Tiryak, zehirli ısırıklar başta olmak üzere, çok sayıda sağlık sorununun tedavisi için üretilen tıbbî formüllerin genel adıdır. Kavram ve ilgili literatürün bir kısmı tercüme hareketi içinde Arapçaya aktarılmış ve İslam tıbbında çok sayıda yeni formül üretilmiştir. Ebül-Berekât el-Bağdâdînin el-Berşaʿsâ adlı tiryakı da bunlardan biridir. Süryanice bar-şaʿseh ܒܪ ܫܥܬܗ terkibine lafzen saatinin oğlu; manen anındaderhal dayanan isim, tiryakın iddiasını ortaya koyduğu gibi, gelişim aşamalarına da işaret etmektedir. Formülün kökeninin birinci yüzyılda yaşayan Tarsuslu Philônun Philoneiôn adlı tiryakı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Makalenin inceleme bölümüne Berşaʿsâyı önceleyen süreçle başlanmıştır. Ardından, kadim bir usulü takip ederek şifreli kaleme alınan metnin imaları; elyazmaların kenarlarında yer alan notlarının, ilgili tıp ve coğrafya eserlerinin desteğiyle çözümlenerek formül ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Eser, tespit edilen on iki yazmasının en iyi altısı üzerinden, İSAM tahkik esaslarına İTNES göre tahkik edilmiş ve Türkçeye çevrilmiştir.

Article Details

The Instant Healer: Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī’s Theriac Called al-Barshaʿthā (Study, Editio Princeps, and Turkish Translation)

Authors:

Tuna Tunagöz

Publisher:

Cukurova University

Main Topics:

İslam Felsefesi

Journal:

Çukurova Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi (ÇÜİFD) Vol.24 Issue 2, pp.205-254

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001337940

pISSN:

2564-6427

History of Islamic Medicine

History of Islamic Pharmacy

Theriac

Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī

al-Barshaʿthā

Philo of Tarsusİslam Tıp Tarihi

Ebü’l-Berekât el-Bağdâdî

Berşaʿs̱â

Tiryak

Tarsuslu Philon

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Tuna Tunagöz

Publisher: Cukurova University

Main Topics: İslam Felsefesi

Journal: Çukurova Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi (ÇÜİFD) Vol.24 Issue 2, pp.205-254

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001337940

pISSN: 2564-6427

Issues

Authors:

Tuna Tunagöz

Publisher:

Cukurova University

Main Topics:

İslam Felsefesi

Journal:

Çukurova Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi (ÇÜİFD) Vol.24 Issue 2, pp.205-254

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001337940

pISSN:

2564-6427