The Greeks lived between 1500BC and 500BC and had a vast empire, which stretched from the bottom of the Black Sea to the bottom of Egypt and from what we now call Greece to the borders of India and China. Generally I do not agree that basically believed in the supernatural because although many early Greeks in particular were very dependent on supernatural power, I believe that the Greeks built the foundations for many medical theories, which were to stand for thousands of years.

In 800BC Greek civilization began. Towns and cities like Athens and Sparta were developed and people began to settle down and live a much more civilized life. The Greeks became very knowledgeable as they often communicated ideas with other people from other places. Their way of life was more settled than previous civilizations and this led them to having more time to think about such things as medicine. The Greek communities were also known for their trade and because of the geographical positioning of their empire; they naturally became a trading centre, which was visited by many people from across the glob

e. These people often brought with them new ideas that were then developed by the Greeks and some are still used even today.

After Hippocrates, the role of doctors in Greek society became very important. These doctors began to search for the natural explanations everyone was looking for. They also discovered that illness could be prevented, and the importance of keeping healthy was realised. People began to wash daily, and exercise was considered vital. A long walk was taken every day, and of course the Greeks were keen athletes. They did sports such as running, discus, javelin and jumping which we still do today, and they were the founders of the Olympic Games, which were first held in 776BC. The Greeks believed that to stay free from illness, you must look after your personal hygiene and exercise your body. They cleaned their teeth with fine peppermint powder, similar to the toothpaste we use today. They also looked after their skin and realised how damaging the sun could be, as the Greek Empire was of a high climate, they rubbed oil into themselves before being exposed to the sun, particularly when exercising naked.

However, although these doctors made many discoveries about natural causes of illness, many did not stop believing in the supernatural on the whole and in fact in the Hippocratic oath written by Hippocrates, a doctor must swear by Apollo, Asclepios and all the Gods. And many average Greeks never stopped believing that the Gods were the causes and curers of illness. If a person was sick, they usually went to an Asclepion where Asclepios, the god of healing, cured them while they were sleeping. Many stories were recorded where the patient had awoken to find themselves surrounded in blood and were then healed, and most civilians believed the Gods to be a more reliable source of healing than the doctors. I think that most Greeks did not change their opinions on healing becau

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