Ancient Greek History and Greek Mythology have greatly influenced many classical and modern sciences, including medicine. The art of healing has its roots in the Pantheon of Greek Mythology, as Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing, was recognized as the first doctor in this period of time.
ASCLEPIUS
Asclepius was originally a mortal and later became the god of medicine and healing, according to the ancient Greeks. The myth of Asclepius is connected to the origins of medical science and the healing arts. (1)
He was the son of Apollo and Coronis. His mother was killed for being unfaithful to Apollo and was laid out on a funeral pyre to be consumed, but the unborn child was rescued from her womb. From this he received the name Asclepius "to cut open". Apollo carried the baby to the centaur Chiron who raised Asclepius and instructed him in the art of medicine.(2)
Asclepius is the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek religion (picture 1). Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts; his daughters are Hygieia ("Health"), Iaso ("Medicine"), Aceso ("Healing"), Aglaea ("Healthy Glow"), and Panacea ("Universal Remedy"). The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, remains a symbol of medicine today, although sometimes the caduceus, or staff with two snakes, is mistakenly used instead. He was one of Apollo's servants. (2)
His cult was particularly popular all over Greece and people from all Mediterranean countries used to come to his temples, named "Asclepieion", to be cured. Remains these temples can be seen till today. His story is pretty interesting and is actually a story of punishment. (1)
HIPPOCRATES OF COS
In contrast to the god Asclepius, Hippocrates, a real human, was the father of
Medicine. Hippocrates of Cos or Hippocrates of Kos (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) - Greek: Ἱπποκράτης; Hippokrátēs was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, and was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is referred to as the Western father of medicine in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic School of medicine. This intellectual school revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece, establishing it as a discipline distinct from other fields that it had traditionally been associated with (notably theurgy and philosophy), thus making medicine a profession. (4)
His oath, well known as Hippocratic Oath, still remains the medical ethical code for doctors all around the word (picture 2).