Mohammad ibn Mahmoud Shirvani, a Persian Immigrant Physician to the Ottoman Empire (9th Century AD), and His Medical Works

Abstract

The Ottoman Empire was established in the western neighboring Iran during the late 13th century and early 14th centuries. The relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Iran fluctuated between periods of peace and conflict. The migration of Iranian scholars to the Ottoman Empire is a significant aspect of the historical ties between These two country. One of these scholars was Mohammad ibn Mahmoud Shirvani who authored medical books and served different Ottoman rulers.He was born in the Shirvan region of Azerbaijan and later migrated to the Ottoman Empire. He served in the court of Sultan Mehmed II as one of the seven esteemed physicians. He continued to practice medicine and held the position of Chief Physician of Bayezid II before the year 889 AH.His works include pharmaceutical compilations like Revzat al-Atr fi’l-Tibb, ophthalmology works such as al-Murshid, and other medical compilations like Sultaniye and Yaqubiyye. These works indicate Shirvani’s extensive knowledge in various medical fields.Shirvani’s familiarity with the works of respected physicians like Avicenna and Ibn al-Baytar enriched his contributions to various medical fields. As an Iranian, he was able to draw from the works of other Iranian doctors written in Persian, benefiting from their insights. He made significant contributions to medical knowledge in the Ottoman civilization, as he facilitated the transmission of Iranian medical scholarship to the Ottoman Empire. Further research on his manuscripts and their comparison with medical texts from subsequent periods could yield valuable insights into his lasting impact on the field of medicine.

Keywords

• medicine
• ottoman empire
• safavids
• iranian scholars
• migration of physicians
• azerbaijan
• civilization