Rufus of Ephesus

Rufus of Ephesus (fl. late 1st century AD) was an ancient physician and author who wrote treatises on dietetics, pathology, anatomy, and patient care. He was to some extent a follower of Hippocrates, although he at times criticized or departed from that author's teachings. His writings dealt with subjects often neglected by other authors, such as the treatment of slaves and the elderly.

After training at Alexandria, he established himself at Ephesus, which was at that time a center of the medical profession. He proceeded to publish a number of medical studies, some of which survive to this day. He was particularly influential in the East, and some of his works survive only in Arabic. His teachings emphasized the importance of anatomy, and sought pragmatic approaches to diagnosis and treatment.