Archiater

An archiater was a chief physician of a monarch, who typically retained several. At the Roman imperial court, their chief held the high rank and specific title of Comes archiatrorum.

The term has also been used of chief physicians in communities. The word is formed of the Greek ἀρχή Archè, "chief", and ἴατρος Iatros, a physician; the Latin equivalents are principium and medicus.

In Finland arkkiatri is the highest honorary title awarded to a physician by the President of Finland, such that there is only one archiater at a time. The most famous archiater has been Arvo Ylppö, who pioneered pediatrics in the country and is credited for the enormous reduction of infant mortality to the modern, very low levels.

In neighbouring Sweden, the title of archiater was bestowed on the great botanist Carl Linnaeus as an honour.

In Vatican City, the Pope's personal physician retains the historical title of archiater.

References

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