Lecture
Pharmacology's origin is rooted in magic, religion and mythology. As early as 4000 B.C., medicine was practiced. Physicians were often priests, and considered Gods in some cultures. Imhotep, an Egyptian priest, was the first well-known physician to the Pharaohs. He was eventually labeled the Egyptian God of Medicine.
Hippocrates, Aesculapius, and Alcmaeon, Greeks from 400-600 B.C., were instrumental in the formation of medicinal theories of today. Aesculapius established learning institutions for physicians. Alcmaeon, a student of Pythagorus, promoted the idea of natural causes of illness rather than "works of the Gods". Hippocrates is most famous for the code of conduct for physicians - the Hippocratic Oath. All three promoted the idea of scientific reasoning and observations over the supernatural and religious ideals that explained illness and medicinal therapies.
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