Medicine is the science or practice of diagnosis; treatment and prevention of diseases. Ancient Greek civilization originated around the 8th century BC. The first evidence that Greek medicine became a factor in Greek life came from Homer's Odyssey and Iliad. In these stories we hear of Machaon and Podalirius, brilliant doctors and excellent men who helped the wounded during the siege of Troy. Out of three children born, only two would reach the age of two. The life expectancy of a healthy Greek adult was around fifty years. It all started with priests, who also served as magicians and healers. The Greeks also viewed illness as a punishment for non-compliance with rituals and for misbehavior or sin. In early times, all healing was carried out by priests in temples as part of worship. People consulted the priest to ask the gods if he could and would be healed or healed. Although medicine in ancient Greece was not as advanced as modern medicine, ancient Greek physicians such as Hippocrates performed many procedures, prescribed herbal remedies, educated young minds about medicine, and approached medicine like no other at the time. Over time, among the Greeks, magic and appeal to the gods encouraged doctors to seek natural cures for the causes of illness. This led to more information being gathered about natural cures and cures. Greek doctors became formidable herbalists of natural remedies, and because natural remedies worked, the Greeks became convinced that nature was the best healer. This is what I learned about the different Greek medicines as they apply to childbirth, life-threatening illnesses and medical procedures, war injuries including damaged bones and joints, depression, acne, ...... middle of paper ...... medicine until about the 18th century. One of the leading medical minds of the time was Hippocrates. He approached health by changing patients' diets and environments, hoping to help cure them. He also introduced new healing methods and herbs, while always involving the gods in his practice. At the time, the Greeks had excellent ideas regarding childbirth, surgeries, damaged bones, and battle wounds, even though they were in a faraway land. Greek medicine generally included many natural herbs and surgical procedures. Since the Greeks were so advanced in medicine, it is understandable that the names of several diseases have Greek origins. However, it is important to remember that the ancient Greeks gave us even more powerful healing words like harmony, ethics, music, melody, hope and perhaps most importantly empathy that brought hope to many illnesses..