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Memory Alpha

Galen was an alias assumed by Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 2370 while investigating the raiding of Nafir on Dessica II. Picard adopted this alias when his investigation drew the attention of the thieves, led by Arctus Baran.

As Galen, Picard appraised ancient Romulan artifacts raided from archaeological sites. He claimed that he was a smuggler who for years had been smuggling artifacts from Federation sites. During those years, he had developed a familiarity with certain Starfleet officers, including William T. Riker. (TNG: "Gambit, Part I", "Gambit, Part II")

Picard may have chosen the name "Galen" in honor of his mentor, Professor Galen, who appeared in TNG: "The Chase". (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, 2nd ed., p. 266) Galen was also a respected Greek physician from the AD 100s on Earth.

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