there is no convincing evidence that ancient Greeks had any specific knowledge about liver regeneration, a concept introduced in the early 19th century.
The liver was considered the seat of life and the soul, and of passions/intelligence, so it “makes sense” to conclude that his liver must regenerate.
While amusing, it seems that the liver is its own word in both the old English and Germanic origins, and even going back to the older proto-Indo-European languages, but some sources link it to the words “to stick” and even fat/grease.
Curious that current Latin languages like Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese did NOT take the latin or greek words for liver (iecur and hēpar).
The modern words (hígado, foie, fegato, fígado) all derive from fig - or more specifically from “fig-stuffed liver” (ficatum iecur), which I’ll assume was a highly appreciated delicacy…
I’m just thinking how his punishment wasn’t really befitting the crime. Like… Why not just have him burn forever? Why the liver eating?
i am more interested to know how the ancient greeks figured out that livers grow back
Here’s an article about this from the Journal of Hepatology:
The liver was considered the seat of life and the soul, and of passions/intelligence, so it “makes sense” to conclude that his liver must regenerate.
Well that explains why it’s called the “liver”
While amusing, it seems that the liver is its own word in both the old English and Germanic origins, and even going back to the older proto-Indo-European languages, but some sources link it to the words “to stick” and even fat/grease.
Curious that current Latin languages like Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese did NOT take the latin or greek words for liver (iecur and hēpar).
The modern words (hígado, foie, fegato, fígado) all derive from fig - or more specifically from “fig-stuffed liver” (ficatum iecur), which I’ll assume was a highly appreciated delicacy…