European Medicine and Physicians in Safavid Iran

Abstract

Simultaneous with the establishment of the Safavid dynasty, due to the developments in the global and regional relations, the ground was prepared for the expansion of Iran and Europe relations. The main reasons for this were the propagation of Christianity, the presence of the Ottoman government as a common enemy of Iran and Europe, as well as commercial interests. These relations reached their peak during the reign of Shah Abbas I., encouraging various groups of Europeans, such as religious missionaries, businessmen, ambassadors, political delegations, tourists, etc. to come to Iran.Physicians were seen in all the mentioned groups, especially in religious missionaries. So, owing to their presence, medical knowledge of European was introduced to Iranians. The first acquaintance with medical profession of European was obtained at the same time as the presence of the Portuguese in the Persian Gulf. Syphilis, which was first entered Iran from Europe in the late ninth century and was called smallpox, led European medicine to entering Iran.The researchers of the present study, based on the reports related to the presence and activity of European physicians in Iran, travelogues and historical and research books, have used a descriptive-analytical method to examine the medical status and European physicians in Safavid Iran.

Keywords

• safavid dynasty
• european medical
• missionaries
• syphilis
• iran