The ancient civilization that was one of the first to identify the brain's true role in the body is A. Greece.
The ancient Greeks made significant contributions to the understanding of the brain and its functions. Here's some information to support this answer:
1. Hippocrates: Often referred to as the "Father of Medicine," Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician who lived around 460-370 BCE. He rejected the prevailing belief that the brain was merely a cooling organ and proposed that it played a central role in perception, intelligence, and emotions. Hippocrates believed that the brain was the seat of the mind and that it controlled the body.
2. Aristotle: Aristotle, a philosopher and scientist, further developed the understanding of the brain in ancient Greece. He believed that the brain was the organ responsible for processing sensory information and coordinating movement. Aristotle's work laid the foundation for future studies on the brain.
3. Herophilus and Erasistratus: These two Greek physicians, who lived in the 3rd century BCE, are often considered pioneers in the field of neuroscience. They conducted detailed anatomical studies of the brain and nervous system through dissections. Herophilus described various structures of the brain and distinguished between different parts, including the cerebrum and cerebellum.
While other ancient civilizations, such as India, Egypt, and Rome, also made contributions to medicine and human anatomy, ancient Greece holds a significant place in the history of neuroscience. Greek scholars like Hippocrates, Aristotle, Herophilus, and Erasistratus made notable advancements in understanding the brain's role in the body, laying the groundwork for future scientific investigations in this field.