Question

Why was medicine in ancient Greece considered to be more advanced that other cultures in this time?

Answer 1

Ancient Greek medicine was a compilation of theories and practices that were constantly expanding through new ideologies and trials. Many components were considered in ancient Greek medicine, intertwining the spiritual with the physical. Specifically, the ancient Greeks believed health was affected by the humors, gender, geographic location, social class, diet, trauma, beliefs, and mindset. Early on, ancient Greeks believed that illnesses were "divine punishments" and that healing was a "gift from the Gods".[1] As trials continued wherein theories were tested against symptoms and results, the pure spiritual beliefs regarding "punishments" and "gifts" were replaced with a foundation based in the physical, i.e., cause and effect.[1]

Answer 2

Because medicine in ancient Greece had a holistic perspective or a tradition healing holistic system, which was centered on natures and balance. Its founder was Hippocrates, who taught and searched the harmony between health, medicine and cosmos.

This holistic was advanced, the only system that was similarly improved was the Chinese, because they also considered medicine as a holistic subject. It's important to say that this perspective was replicated and used by western hemisphere.

However, this natural, cosmological perspective of medicine was changed by a more scientific approach, which created modern medicine science.