Heraklas ( grc-gre, Ἡρακλᾶς) was a Greek physician of the 1st century AD whose descriptions of surgeons'

knot A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ...

s and slings are preserved in book 48 of

Oribasius Oribasius or Oreibasius ( el, Ὀρειβάσιος; c. 320 – 403) was a Greek medical writer and the personal physician of the Roman emperor Julian. He studied at Alexandria under physician Zeno of Cyprus before joining Julian's retinue. H ...

' ''Medical Collections'' (Ἰατρικαὶ Συναγωγαί, ''Iatrikai Synagogai'') under the title ''From Heraklas''. Describing them in detail, Heraklas discussed 16 different knots and slings, including the earliest known written account of a

string figure A string figure is a design formed by manipulating string on, around, and using one's fingers or sometimes between the fingers of multiple people. String figures may also involve the use of the mouth, wrist, and feet. They may consist of si ...

. Accompanying illustrations of the knots were added later by Renaissance copyists, but modern analysis of the writings by knot experts has shown many of these early drawings to contain significant errors or misinterpretations.

The knots identified

The current understanding of Heraklas' knots results primarily from analysis and identification by Hjalmar Öhrvall, Lawrence G. Miller, and Cyrus L. Day, although slightly differing interpretations and refinements continue to be made. The table below shows the knots believed to have been described by Heraklas.

Notes and references

{{Authority control Knots 1st-century Greek physicians String figures 1st-century writers

The knots identified

See also

Notes and references