title: Vindicianus' Gynaecia and theories on generation and embryology from the Babylonians up to Graeco-Roman times.
abstract: Theories on conception, the production of seed, the determination of the sex of the foetus, foetal development and parturition as expressed in the Gynaecia, a work of the fourth century AD Roman medical writer, Vindicianus, and the theories of Graeco-Roman predecessors ranging from the fifth century BC to the second century AD in which the Gynaecia is embedded, are compared with views occurring in Babylonian, Jewish and Biblical scriptures. The resemblances that have been found, are probably based on general observations found in any society rather than on direct influence by oral or literary tradition. It appears that the theories are determined by the cultural background of the various societies, and are a reflection of the focus of the group or individual(s).
authors.affiliation: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cilliers
mesh_terms: D004626:Embryology / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D000076145:Greece, Ancient; D006176:Gynecology / Q000266:history*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008374:Manuscripts, Medical as Topic / Q000266:history*; D012384:Rome