Galen's Greek name Γαληνός (Galēnós) comes from the adjective γαληνός (galēnós) 'calm'. [28] Galen's Latin name (Aelius or Claudius) implies he had Roman citizenship. [29] Galen describes his early life in On the affections of the mind. He was born in September CE. [6] His father, Aelius Nicon, was a wealthy patrician, an architect and builder, with eclectic interests.