OPERATIONS ON HERMAPHRODITES AND CASTRATION IN BYZANTINE TIMES (324-1453-AD)

The authors present and comment on the surgical methods performed on h ermaphrodites and for castration, which are unique in the medical bibl iography of Byzantium and were described by the famous physician of th e 7th century, Paul of Aegina. The latter describes the techniques of reconstruction of hermaphrodites learned from the now lost work of the great surgeon of the ist century AD, Leonidas from Alexandria. Paul o f Aegina presents, with some ethical reservation, the scientific metho ds of castration used by surgeons:only incases of acts of God or for s erious health reasons, where they were obliged to operate. The authors furthermore present the legal position of the state and the church in relation to a phenomenon so widespread in Byzantium as castration.