Who were Hippocrates and Galen, and why were their ideas so influential in the Middle Ages?

Last updated: 15/11/2023
Contributor: Tulip
Who were Hippocrates and Galen, and why were their ideas so influential in the Middle Ages?
Main Subject
Key stage
Category
Thematic studies: Health/medicine
Resource type
Worksheet
Concepts and methods
Continuity and change
Concepts and methods
Significance

This worksheet can be used to support your teaching of AQA's 'Health and the People' or of the 'Medicine' unit for other exam boards.

Students read about the Theory of the Four Humours, the Theory of Opposites and Galen's theory of the circulatory system. They then use this information to complete a diagram of the Four Humours and a table about Galen and Hippocrates and their theories.

Evidence is provided for the importance of Galen's work in the following categories: his output, the influence of the Church, attitudes in society, lack of science and technology, war, and the role of the government. Students then assess which was the most important reason for his influence. 

An extract from the answers section:

Task 1b:

Background information on Hippocrates:

  • A Greek physician.
  • Wrote 70 books.

Medical theories:

  • Invented the Theory of the Four Humours.
  • Focused on observing and recording symptoms.
  • Created the Hippocratic Oath.

Background information on Galen:

  • A Roman surgeon.
  • Wrote 350 books.

Medical theories:

  • Developed the Four Humours with the Four Opposites.
  • Believed that blood was made in the liver and used up like fuel for the body.

Other information?

  • Each of the Four Humours had a corresponding climate and season, and even foods.
  • The Hippocratic Oath is still used today.
  • Humours were largely believed to be caused by digesting different foods.

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