Hepatic regeneration in Greek mythology

Abstract

The accurate knowledge of surgical anatomy, the amelioration of post-operative processes and the continuously increasing experience of surgeons nowadays allow the performance of severe hepatic operations (e.g., wide liver resections, liver transplantations, etc.). The success of these operations is even more assisted by the great regenerative ability of the liver. Greek mythology, being an important source of information on the beliefs, habits, and phenomena observed during antiquity, reveals that hepatic regeneration was well known to ancient Greeks and this natural ability was established in two tales: the tale of Prometheus and the tale of the Giant Tityus. The main concept of both tales, being the destruction and reconstitution of the liver, is almost the same. Both of the condemned were immortal and their liver regenerated in a night, providing thus, food for the eagles and eternal pain for the sufferers. In conclusion, the tales show that the regenerative ability of the liver was well known from early years and that the trust shown by the Gods in this ability, to cause eternal suffering is on a par with the trust shown by the modern surgeons in it, to assure a successful hepatic operation.

Keywords: Liver regeneration, Prometheus, Tityus; Greek; Mythology

Core tip: Greek mythology is an important source of information on the beliefs, habits, and phenomena observed during antiquity revealing that hepatic regeneration was well known to ancient Greeks. Τhis natural ability was established in two tales whose main concept was the destruction and reconstitution of the liver: the tale of Prometheus and the tale of the Giant Tityus.