logic became the basis of scholasticism, while the Christian philosophy of Aquinas
(AD1225–1274) was a fusion of Aristotelianism and theology. The legacy of Stoicism
extends through Rome to the Renaissance and beyond.
Medicine and science
Athens continued to be a centre for philosophical and scientific enquiry in the
Hellenistic era. The Lyceum, for example, where Aristotle had laid the ground for so
many advances, particularly in the natural sciences, flourished under the leadership
of his successor Theophrastus appointed in 322 and continuing for some thirty-five
years. Of his many works, two substantially survive, through which he has been
dubbed the father of botany and which were not superseded until the Renaissance:
Enquiry Concerning Plantsand The Causes of Plants, both the product of new research,
informed by knowledge of new plants becoming known through Alexander’s
conquests. He set plant lore, important through the centuries for food and medicine,
systematically on a scientific academic footing, classifying plants with new termi-
nology and on the basis of empirical observation, with due regard to variations
in geography and climate. His work On Stonesis also predominantly scientific,
dispensing for the most part with accounts of their magical properties.
In the course of the third century, Alexandria began to replace Athens as the
leading cultural and scientific centre. Advances were made in medicine and science
partly as a result of the patronage of the kings notably at the Museum in Alexandria,
built by Ptolemy and maintained by his successors.
Medicine
In Homer, the plague in the Greek camp at the beginning of the Iliadis sent by Apollo
and the only recourse for the Greeks is through the prayer of his priest. In Oedipus the
Kingthe gods send a plague to mark their displeasure at the parricide and incest of
Oedipus; once again the key agent of remedy comes through the supernatural in the
form of the prophet of Apollo, Tiresias. In Classical times, medicine was still very
much bound up with religion. Asclepius, a heroic son of Apollo, was the mythical
figure most commonly associated with medicine and healing; his most famous
sanctuary was at Epidaurus, where there are many inscriptions bearing witness to his
curing powers. Those seeking cures slept in the precincts of the temple overnight and
might expect to be visited by the god in their sleep. This temple medicine is akin
to faith healing. Yet in Antigone,coping with irremediable diseases is one of the many
marks of human progress, techne(l. 361). Old and advanced attitudes co-exist side
by side.
214 THE GREEKS