Throughout ancient Greek history, great strides were taken in the medical, biological, and anatomical fields. Physicians experimented to reach new conclusions and further their general understanding of the human body. Animal dissection was common throughout the time period, although there were many cultural, religious, and moral taboos against human dissection. Human dissection was, and still is, useful in furthering anatomical research and has mainly been employed as a tool for learning in the modern era (Ghosh). While its usefulness is apparent, in ancient Greece, few people investigated this field due to cultural restrictions, and after its inception, human dissection was not practiced again until the 12th century. While there is a general
Both von Staden and Ghosh investigate these reasons by analyzing the cultural factors at play in Greece and in Alexandria, where Herophilus and Erasistratus practiced. In ancient Greece, there were many restrictions that prevented physicians, like Alcmaeon, from dissecting humans. It was believed that corpses polluted their surroundings and they were not human beings anymore. There were also taboos against cutting, as the Greeks believed that the skin was a symbol of completeness and integrity and should not be broken (Von Staden). These views would discourage any physician from taking a risk and opening a human cadaver because of the disapproval they would face from the general population. Herophilus and Erasistratus were able to overcome these taboos because they practiced in Alexandria. In this city, there was no democracy, so other scientists in the area could not patronize Herophilus or Erasistratus if they disagreed with their work. During this time, the Ptolemies were ruling in Egypt and had set a precedent of going against Greek cultural beliefs with their incestual relationships (Ghosh). Furthermore, Alexandria was a beacon for scientific innovators. Because of these reasons, thoughts on human dissection were more relaxed than in Greece. While other physicians were concerned with cultural restrictions, Herophilus and Erasistratus were able to thrive in a progressive climate. However, more research can be done to show the effect of their work on other physicians in Alexandria and on the development of human dissection there. Although Greece and Alexandria were closely intertwined economically and geographically, the varying cultural factors and the resources at hand allowed for a physical investigation into the human
The Beauty of Bodysnatching written by Burch Druin is a fascinating biography of Astley Cooper, an English Surgeon, and Anatomist, who gained worldwide fame in support of his contribution to Vascular Surgery and a further area of expertise. The extract gives a reflective insight into Cooper’s contribution to study of Anatomy and medicine. Cooper enjoyed the job of body snatching, which helped him to conduct a series of discoveries that were important for the future study and understanding of Physiology. In the Romantic era, when prettiness or horror was a sensitive matter and extensive concern at that time many physicians discouraged surgery, but Cooper passionately practiced it.
During this time, knowledge of human biology was extremely limited. This is partially due to a papal bull issued by Pope Boniface VIII that forbid the dissection of corpses. 10
Animal testing has gone back as far as three hundred B.C.E with the Greek physician and philosopher, Aristotle (*). Then there was Galen, a Greek physician, who studied animals in Rome and learned more about medicine, made advancements in understanding anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. To modern society, Galen is referred to as being the father of vivisection. In the twelfth century in Spain, Ibn Zuhr, an Arab physician who made use of animal experimentation that led to testing the effectiveness of surgical procedures, first on animals, and then applying the information to human patients. Though most of his testings were on goats, much of his research went into postmortem autopsies and dissections. (Hajar) (Naik)
(Topic sentence) According to the Health Care, Medicine, and Science, by Deborah Porterfield (1st citation), the word phlebotomy means “obtaining blood from a vein.” (P.34) Phlebotomy came a long way, as it was one of the traditional ways of medicine. According to Jamie Cohen (2nd citation), this practice is thought to have originated from ancient Egypt. From Egypt, this practice was starting to get used in Europe. Erasistratus, a popular physician in ancient Greece, believed that illness was caused due to too much blood. A little later, the Roman Empire believed in Erasistratus’s theory and performed phlebotomy more (P.1). With these two empires rising to the top, phlebotomy was spread throughout the world, including to places like India and Arabia as well. Years later in Europe, churches were not a big fan of cutting people open and let them bleed. So, who performed this...
Marriage in Classical Athens was inevitable. It was a part of life. Everyone had to get married, just as everyone had to someday face death. Although most people would not see a connection between marriage and death, the Greeks did. Both define an irreversible physical change—the loss of virginity and the loss of life. This idea of loss, rebirth, and renewal are present in both wedding and funeral. This is evident in the way wedding and funeral ceremonies complement each other in character and content. Both ceremonies are interwoven with ritual meaning and overlapping rites.
The earliest human dissections date back to ancient Egypt and Greece where records of Anatomy were hand drawn and physiology was largely theorized. I find it fascinating that modern imaging technology allows us to view the body’s organs to see their functions and diagnose possible conditions or diseases. I first developed an interest in the field of Medical Sonography during my pregnancy with my first child. When I laid eyes upon the images of the growing little person inside of me, I knew I wanted to share in the joys of others as they experienced this as well (realizing this may not always be the case for others). Now returning to college, I have set my academic goals on the path towards this career. It wasn’t until I completed the Anatomy
The term autopsy also referred to as “Post-mortem examination”, “necropsy”, “obduction” and “ autopsia cadaverum” originates from the Latin language and denotes to “open, cut/dissect”. Another origin is from two Greek terms “aut” (self) and “opsie” (to see, to conduct a personal inspection) hence, autopsy refers to the opening/dissection of a cadaver to see for oneself, through observation, the cause of death or the nature of disease contrary to what has been reported by another party. Autopsy practice has been in existence since over 3000 years ago. It was however, not until the Renaissance in Europe that autopsy became standard practice (1,2). The link between clinical syndromes and postmortem findings is credited to the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (3).
Although abortion was not a big issue at the time, infanticide, or killing the baby outside the womb after delivery, was a prominent subject of debate, much like abortion is today (1). At the time, this seemed to be a safer way to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. Both Hippocrates, the “father of modern medicine” and Soranos, the “Greatest of the ancient gynecologist,” both opposed abortion, but their reasons for opposition are unclear and could have been for either the protection of the mother or the fetus (1). The more sophisticated medical methods for abortions became, the more they were met with cr...
The primary focus of ancient Greek sculptures was that of the human body. Almost all Greek sculptures are of nude subjects. As the first society to focus on nude subjects, Greek sculptors attempted to "depict man in what they believed was the image of the gods and so would come to celebrate the body by striving for verisimilitude or true – likeness (realism and naturalism!)."(Riffert) Not only did the Greeks celebrate the human form in their art but also in everyday life. (Riffert) One of the favorite topics for sculptors was that of the athlete. In Greek culture athletes were described as "hero–athletes". (Riffert) This shows that athletes were revered and looked upon as heroes. The influence of athleticism is evident in many famous sculptures. I will attempt to show how the human form influenced Greek art. It is important to note that many of the Greek sculptures discussed do not exist in their original form but rather in Roman copies of the original bronze sculptures. (Riffert)
Perhaps the most notorious of burial practices originating in Egypt is that of mummification. Why such an extraordinary attempt was made to preserve cadavers may seem
My report is on ancient Greek art mainly sculptures and vase art I will also
As far back in Greek time as anyone can remember, the human body was a
Pederasty among Greek society was often thought to have emerged from ancient Crete in about 650 B.C. However, later Greeks believed homosexuality arose in order to cap off overpopulation and to institutionalize soldiers. The unique traditions of Cretan pederasty are depicted by Ephorus of Cyme.
In the present time, Ancient Egypt is one of the most notable early civilizations that took care in preserving the bodies of their dead (Wikipedia.com). However, preservation of the deceased’s body advanced during the Age of
The term autopsy also referred to as “Post-mortem examination”, “necropsy”, “obduction” and “ autopsia cadaverum” originates from the Latin language and denotes to “open, cut/dissect”. Another origin is from two Greek terms “aut” (self) and “opsie” (to see, to conduct a personal inspection) hence, autopsy refers to the opening/dissection of a cadaver to see for oneself, through observation, the cause of death or the nature of disease contrary to what has been reported by another party. Autopsy practice has been in existence since over 3000 years ago. It was however, not until the Renaissance in Europe that autopsy became standard practice (1,2). The link between clinical syndromes and postmortem findings is credited to the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (3).