There was good reason a Greek woman named Agnodice (see A post) traveled to Alexandria in 300 BC to study medicine and then had to hide her profession back at home in Athens by wearing men's clothing. She knew where to get medical training, but had no idea what would happen when she returned home to practice her new profession (or so the story goes).
Pesehet was one of the earliest known women to practice medicine in Egypt. Evacuation of a tomb at Giza revealed that she had been a physician. A monument had been dedicated to her and among the titles identifying her was “Lady Overseer of the Female Physicians.” Pesehet was a physician during the 4th Dynasty and the building of the great pyramids (c. 2500 BC). Pesehet may even have taught at the temple school in Sais.
 |
| Great Pyramid at Giza |
 |
| Egyptian woman giving birth |
Isn't history interesting?
Source:
http://www.ancient.eu/article/49/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2685681
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peseshet
Sharon M. Himsl
Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing
There were some extremely clever women around long before our time. This is evidence of another. Loved the post and awesome pics.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day. Sharon/
Yvonne.
I know. and we think we know so much today. Thanks, Yvonne!
DeleteHistory is totally mesmerising! And no history as mesmerising as the Ancients!
ReplyDeleteNilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
Could not agree more :)
DeleteSharon, History was my favorite subject throughout my school years and I love seeing historic documentaries or movies based on a historical setting. It's certainly cool to look back into time but I'm purrfectly happy to live in modern times. Interesting!
ReplyDeletePlease come by for Art Sketching Through the Alphabet with Curious as a Cathy when you have a sec! Have a good day & happy a2zjing!
My family sometimes rolls their eyes when we visit a museum. They know they've lost me for the duration :)
DeleteInteresting link to the Hebrew Bible. I supposed this was before the Hippocratic Oath.
ReplyDeletehttp://sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com/2017/04/k-is-for-king-cepheus.html
Had to look up the Oath. It was found in 12th Century Greece. Didn't realize it was that old. Learned something new. Thanks Sage!
DeleteIt doesn't surprise me that there were women in medicine in ancient Egypt. It was a better place to be a woman in general than, say, Greece. I hadn't heard of this one - thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt really does appear to be the case. A good place to have been born. I can say the same today for being born in a western developed country.
DeleteAnother very fascinating tale from the past - I am in awe of your research - wonderful stuff :) http://pempispalace.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/k-is-for-kids-kingdom.html
ReplyDeleteThank you. Because of the king, we have official records documenting her existence. That is so cool. We know from this women were more than midwives in the medical field. Surely there were others
DeleteHi Sharon - I can believe she reached heights unknown to other women ... and that her King must have been relatively enlightened ... it is fascinating how some things are known ... yet so much detail has been forgotten ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/l-is-for-legendary-beasts-of-britain.html
It probably came down to knowing the right people and being at the right place and time in history. I wonder if any bloggers will be remembered 3000 years from now :)
ReplyDeleteI just find this all so interesting and that one can find written documentation on women like this Egyptian who must have been important
ReplyDelete