De Materia Medica
De Materia Medica is a five-volume Greek pharmacopoeia by Pedanius Dioscorides, written between about AD 50 and 70, describing some 600 plants and the medicines made from them. It remained a standard reference for over 1,500 years. Aldus Manutius printed a Greek edition in Venice in 1499.
- Editions tracked
- 1
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Editions
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Adaptations
- Tractatus de herbis adaptation, 2000
In print
- Editions recorded
- 25 on Open Library, 4 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 20 languages
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
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How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
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Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
How many editions of De Materia Medica are there?
We track 1 edition of De Materia Medica. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Has De Materia Medica been adapted?
Yes, including Tractatus de herbis (adaptation, 2000), according to Wikidata.
When was De Materia Medica first published?
De Materia Medica by Pedanius Dioscorides was first published in 50.
Where these facts come from
- De materia medica, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Dioscorides, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Peri hules iatrikes (Aldus, Venice, 1499), Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 23 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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