1. What does this source suggest about understanding of anatomy in Ancient Greece?
‘The criminal was brought in and secured to the table using a length of rope. Herophilus instructed one of his assistants to make a small incision in the chest. The man was restrained by four other men as the incision was made, but his cries of pain could be heard by all watching. Herophilus then proceeded to instruct a second assistant to break the ribs of the restrained man and they were removed to reveal the outer edges of the lung. Herophilus himself took a knife and made another cut into the lung. The air came out, but the man’s pain did not appear to increase. Thus Herophilus concluded that the lungs were devoid of feeling and sensation.’
From an anonymous account by a member of the audience at Alexandria, 200BC

2. Lesson Objectives
To be able to identify the key features of medical practice at Alexandria
To be able to give reasons as to why Alexandria was important in the development of understanding of anatomy
To be able to explain the similarites and differences in the Greek and Egyptian understanding of anatomy

3. What happened at Alexandria?
1) What was Alexandria?
2) What type of dissection happened at Alexandria?
3) What discoveries were made at Alexandria? (Herophilus and Eriasistratus)
4) Did Alexandria help understanding of anatomy develop?

4. How had Greek surgery developed from Egyptian surgery?

6. What was the most important factor in the development of Greek understanding of surgery and anatomy?