Which early physician performed public displays of anatomy by cutting open live animals?

Galen (c130-201AD)

A Greek physician who settled in Rome, Galen was the first anatomist to begin recording a complete picture of what lies beneath the skin. Galen used his position as doctor to the gladiators to do some of his research, but since dissection of human bodies was strictly forbidden, most of his findings were based on dissections of animals.

Galen did not just cut animals open for research purposes; he turned their vivisection into a gruesome style of performance art. Before large crowds, Galen would slice open live beasts in order to display the workings of the body.