The Physician

As a young boy, Robert Cole experiences a profound moment when he senses his mother's terminal illness. This is the first time he realizes his unique ability to perceive when someone suffers from unrecognized medical conditions.

Robert, having lost his family, embarks on a journey with an itinerant barber-surgeon known simply as Barber. Under Barber’s mentorship, Robert learns the rudiments of medieval medical practices such as bloodletting and cupping therapy, while recognizing their limitations in treating diseases.

When Barber develops a cataract, Robert consults a Hebrew doctor who successfully heals him, expanding Robert’s understanding of medicine. This encounter piques his interest in learning more about advanced medical practices.

Inspired by the advanced practices of a renowned physician, Ibn Sina, Robert decides to travel to Persia for formal training. Before leaving, he learns important aspects of Hebrew culture and the existence of a vast world beyond his own.

Upon arriving in Egypt, Robert circumcises himself to blend in as a Hebrew, realizing that Christians are not welcomed in Muslim territories. He finds companionship and learns about local literature, enhancing his understanding of the diverse cultures he encounters.

Robert faces rejection and violence when seeking admission to Ibn Sina's hospital and school. After being beaten and left unconscious, he is rescued and taken in as a patient, marking a turning point in his journey.

After recovery, Robert becomes a student of Ibn Sina at a Bimaristan. He learns essential medical techniques, scientific principles, and philosophical teachings, vastly expanding his medical knowledge and skills.

As a deadly plague ravages the city, Robert and fellow doctors bravely remain by the ill's side, implementing newfound hygienic practices to combat the outbreak. Their efforts lead to the eventual suppression of the epidemic.

Robert's feelings for Rebecca reignite when he nurses her back to health during the plague. Their bond leads to a moment of intimacy resulting in a pregnancy, ultimately putting them at risk of severe consequences due to societal laws.

Robert encounters the Shah, a progressive ruler, who outlines the complex struggles of leadership amid the looming threat from the Seljuks. This meeting highlights the intersection of governance and medicine during turbulent times.

Tensions escalate when the Seljuks execute the Shah's son during a peace negotiation. This power struggle leads to the unleashing of the plague upon the city, deepening Robert’s ties with the ongoing conflicts.

Rob's determination to advance his medical knowledge leads him to conduct an autopsy on a Zoroastrian who died from appendicitis. The act of necromancy horrifies the religious leaders, who subsequently sentence him and Ibn Sina to death.

Just before their execution, palace guards intervene, allowing Rob to perform an appendectomy on the Shah. This act of skill and bravery earns him respect, but also heightens the tension against the backdrop of religious scrutiny.

Betrayed by religious zealots, Isfahan suffers an assault from the Seljuks, leading to the destruction of vital medical institutions and the death of many. During the chaos, Ibn Sina entrusts Rob with his medical writings before staying behind to face his fate in the burning library.

Rob returns to London, now married to Rebecca, with the ambition of establishing a hospital. His journey transforms him into a respected figure in medicine, as he reflects on the lessons learned and the lives impacted during his travels.