Ancient Greek medicine is widely considered the foundation of the
medical knowledge used in today’s modern societies. The first culture
known to have applied scientific thinking to the art of healing,
ancient Greece produced doctors whose methods were comparable to those
of modern physicians. As classical Greek physicians parted with
mystical ideas in favor of logic and reasoning, these ideas spread
throughout the ancient world, gradually taking root in countries as far
east as India and eventually blossoming in nations to the west. The
influence of early Greek physicians is still seen in the medical
profession today. Perhaps the most easily recognizable hallmark of this
influence is the Hippocratic Oath, taken by each physician before
embarking upon a medical career.
Hippocrates
is perhaps the best-known figure in ancient Greek medicine, widely
credited as the father of modern medicine and the author of the
Hippocratic Oath. The theories and practices taught by Hippocrates and
his followers were largely responsible for the change from spiritually
based medicine to a system based on logic and observation. Central to
these theories was the belief in keeping the body in balance with
nutrition and beneficial herbs and drugs. Doctors trained in the
methods of Hippocrates used scientific observation to evaluate their
patients, applied herbs, performed surgery and even specialized in such
fields as gynecology.
As Hippocratic medicine became the
accepted practice in the Mediterranean, the theories and methods of
ancient Greek medicine began to gain ground against religious and
mystical medical treatments in other parts of the world. Through their
interaction with Greek culture, the Romans gradually adopted many of
the ideas of ancient Greek medicine. Eventually, as the Romans
conquered Greece, Hippocratic medicine became accepted throughout the
Roman Empire and supported officially by the Roman Catholic Church.
This official backing helped to establish the theories of ancient Greek
medicine as the basis of further medical advancements throughout the
world.
The theories and principles of ancient Greek medicine
have endured through the ages, influencing the most modern methods of
disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Many of the research
techniques used to produce the incredible advancements that happen
every day in modern medicine have their roots in the scientific methods
first introduced by early Greek medical pioneers.