Leoparda

Leoparda (4th century, Byzantium) was a gynecologist who served in the Court of Gratian (359–383).

Information about Leoparda comes from a book by Emperor Gratian’s physician Priscian that he wrote for the purpose of educating women doctors. In the book he notes that Leoparda was a respected gynecologist, but that her remedies were no more scientific than those of the Greek Dioscorides. The book contained quotations from Soranus, Cleopatria, and Aspasia. Some of it was in rhyme, presumably so that women- who were assumed to have lesser intelligence than men- could remember it. He dedicated the book to Leoparda and two other women physicians, Salvina and Victoria.