What was the greatest achievement of the Ancient Greeks?

Which is more important: philosophy (big ideas) or

medicine? Why?

Task 1 - Source Comprehension (5 mins)

● Read the two sources below

Source One: Gombrich (HISTORIAN) - A Little Source Two: BBC Bitesize Revision Website
History of the World (Adapted)

Assemblies (big meetings) had taught the The most famous Greek
Athenian Greeks to discuss all matters doctor was Hippocrates of
openly, with arguments for and against. Kos. He wrote: "Sickness is
This was good training in learning how to not sent by the gods or
think. Soon they were not only debating taken away by them. It
everyday things like how much money to has a natural basis. If we can find
pay in tax, but also debating about the the cause, we can find the cure."
whole of nature… The Greeks tried to find So, the Greeks developed the first
out more about what the world was made rational (natural and sensible)
of, and what might be the cause of all system of medicine.
events (e.g. earthquakes) and experiences
Greek doctors soon became extremely
(e.g wars).
skilled and professional (well trained).
This sort of thinking is what we call
They took the Hippocratic Oath, which
philosophy and in Athens it was very deep.
bound them to keep people's
They wanted to find out how people should
confidences secret, live a good and
act, what was good and what was evil, and
holy life and not to give poison. Greek
what was just and what was unjust (not
doctors were well trained from
fair). They wanted to explain
human childhood, made visits, had a good
existence and discover the essence of bedside manner and were careful in
things. There were various answers, their dealings with their patients.
theories and opinions that were argued
back and forth by great men such as
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Task 2 - Source Analysis (20 mins)

● Answer the questions about the sources in the table.

Remember to explain your answers in full please.

1. Use Source One. The Ancient Greeks learned to think by...

How did the Greeks
in Athens learn ‘how
to think’?

2. Use Source One. ●

What did the Greeks
want to find out
about and explain? ●
Find 3 examples.

3. Use source two to

explain what
Hippocrates’ view of
medicine and
disease was.

4. Use source two to

find examples of
why Greek Medicine
was so advanced
for its time.

Task 3: Focus on TWO key figures in Philosophy and Medicine.

Research using websites such as Britannica SOCRATES (Philosophy) and HIPPOCRATES (Medicine). Find out
five facts about each of them.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/a-history-of-medicine/hippocrates/
(Hippocrates)

http://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece/socrates.php
(Socrates)

SOCRATES:

HIPPOCRATES:
TASK 4: Your View (10 mins)
Was philosophy or medicine the greatest achievement of the
Ancient Greeks?

Sentence Starters Word Box

In my view, ………………. was more important philosophy

because…. medicine
Hippocrates
debating
argument
rational
natural

Another reason why ………………..was more

important is….
……………………….. was also important because….

Overall, the most important...

TASK 5:
BRAINPOP
- watch the video and complete the quiz
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ancientcultures/athens/
Username: einstein
Password: kgv
Write your quiz score here:

TASK 6: Challenge Task

1. The Athenians developed a
system to run their city called
‘democracy’. It involved many
people debating important
matters and then voting on them.
In your view, what is one
advantage and one disadvantage
of this system?

2. Why was it important that

Greek doctors moved medicine
away from a belief that Gods
caused disease towards a belief
that disease was natural?