Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Androcydes 2.

by Various Authors

ANDROCY′DES (Ἀνδροκύδης), a Greek physician, who lived in the reign of Alexander the Great, B. C. 336—323. There is a story told of him by Pliny (H. N. xiv. 7), that he wrote a letter to that prince cautioning him against the immoderate use of wine, which he called "the blood of the earth." It is mentioned also by the same author (xvii. 37. §10), that he ordered his patients to eat a radish as a preservative against intoxication, from having observed (it is said) that the vine always turned away from a radish if growing near it. It is very possible that this Androcydes may be the same person who is mentioned by Theophrastus (Hist. Plant. iv. 16 [al. 20] 20), and also by Athenaeus. (vi. p. 258, b.)

[W. A. G.]