Greek & Roman Medicine

CS AS 350
Credit hours 3
Contact hours 45

This course examines the development of medical knowledge in ancient Greece and Rome. After a survey of the earliest notions of health and disease as god-sent, we move to the attempt to distinguish medicine from religion, and indeed from magic. The course covers the discussion of the doctrines of individual figures and schools; Sicily, notably, originated some of the greatest figures in the early history of Greek medicine and the "Sicilian" medical school (which was the greatest rival to the Hippocratic school of Kos) was highly influential. The course concludes with some discussion of the medical schools in Alexandria, where for a brief period anatomists had the opportunity (which did not arise again till the 15th century) to practice not only human dissection but also vivisection and contrast scientific advances with ethical considerations.This course examines the development of medical knowledge in ancient Greece and Rome. After a survey of the earliest notions of health and disease as god-sent, we move to the attempt to distinguish medicine from religion, and indeed from magic. The course covers the discussion of the doctrines of individual figures and schools; Sicily, notably, originated some of the greatest figures in the early history of Greek medicine and the "Sicilian" medical school (which was the greatest rival to the Hippocratic school of Kos) was highly influential. The course concludes with some discussion of the medical schools in Alexandria, where for a brief period anatomists had the opportunity (which did not arise again till the 15th century) to practice not only human dissection but also vivisection and contrast scientific advances with ethical considerations.

Students will be expected to complete three significant research papers and a final examination.

Prerequisites: one class in ancient studies/philosophy.
NOTE. This prerequisite may be satisfied by electing to also take CS PR 351 as a part of your program at MCAS

Required Texts: 1. Lloyd, G. E. R. (ed) (translation) (1983) Hippocrates, Hippocratic Writings, Penguin Books. 2. Longrigg, J. (1998) Greek Medicine From the Heroic to the Hellenistic Age, London: Duckworth.