Anatomy of the Human Body

The two main anatomists were named Herophilus and Erycystritus. It's often speculated that the long-standing practice of organ removal in Egyptian funeral practices may have provided a precedent. Other authors tell us, with breathless dismay, that these Alexandrian anatomists dissected criminals who had been condemned to death while they were still alive. Whether or not this is true, there's no doubt that the doctors of Alexandria took a great leap forward in the understanding of the human body.