Overview

Head of a statue of Hippocrates (c.460-370 BC), the ancient Greek doctor and philosopher.

Ordinary Greek people would often go to the asklepion [Asklepion: Healing centre of the ancient Greeks, based around a belief in the god Asklepios. People would stay there when they were ill. ] when they were sick. Things began to change when Greek philosophers and doctors made the critical breakthrough in realising that diseases have natural, rather than spiritual, causes.

The most famous Greek doctor was Hippocrates of Kos. He wrote: "Sickness is not sent by the gods or taken away by them. It has a natural basis. If we can find the cause, we can find the cure."

Thus the Greeks developed the first rational system of medicine.

Greek doctors soon became extremely skilled and professional. They took the Hippocratic Oath, which bound them to keep people's confidences secret, live a good and holy life and not to give poison. Greek doctors were well trained ('from childhood'), made visits, had a good bedside manner and were careful in their dealings with their patients.