Traditional medicine in ancient Greece (coexistence of Asclepian art and Hippocratic medicine)
Marketos, S.G.; Poulakou-Rebelakou, E.
Przeglad Lekarski 52(12): 612-614
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 8834663 Document Number: 448264
Ancient Greece created two types of medicine: priestly-religious one with god Asclepios and temple treatment and other rational one, formed by Hippocrates. Both coexisting types of medicine represented two non-antagonistic alternatives of treatment for the patients. In spite of differences between both kinds of ancient Greek medicine we have no evidence either of a collaboration between Asclepian priests and Hippocratic physicians, or of any mutual misunderstanding or hostility, Asclepios followers respected the tradition, believed in the divine descent of their profession, but remained loyal to the Hippocratic Oath. The fact, that when the rational medicine did not help the patient, he searched his healing in religious or other alternative type of medicine, happens often even in contemporary times.