Dioscorius

This name derives from the Ancient Greek name “Dioskourídēs (Διοσκουρίδης) Dióskoros (Διόσκορος),” composed of two elements: “Zeús ‎(Ζεύς) Días ‎(Δίας)” (Zeus, heavenly, divine) plus “kóros (κόρος)” (boy, youth, soldier, son). In turn, the name means “son of Zeus.” 1) Pedanius Dioscorides (~40–90 AD) was a Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author of “De Materia Medica,” a 5-volume Greek encyclopedia about herbal medicine and related medicinal substances (a pharmacopeia), that was widely read for more than 1,500 years. He was employed as a medic in the Roman army. 2) Pope Dioscorus I of Alexandria, 25th Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. He was deposed by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 but was recognized as Patriarch by the Coptic Church until his death. He died in the Island of Gangra, Paphlagonia, in September 454. 3) Flavius Dioscorus lived during the 6th century A.D. in the village of Aphrodito, Egypt, and therefore is called by modern scholars Dioscorus of Aphrodito.