A strange mixture of skill and ignorance featured in the medical practices of Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Magic, superstition and a misunderstanding of human anatomy influenced ancient knowledge, and yet within these civilizations the basis of modern western medicine began to form.

Discover the bizarre beliefs of the Ancients, the devastating plagues and conditions that assailed them, and their solutions – both sensible and shocking – for treating injuries, dealing with childbirth and promoting good hygiene.

Famous physicians who followed their impulse to heal influenced the history of medicine. Learn about the oath of Hippocrates, the first real hospitals and devices used for healing broken limbs – all vital legacies of ancient medicine that are still in use today.

This DVD is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated 24-page hardcover book. Watch and discover the secrets of cultures that thrived for centuries and then disappeared, and at the same time read the captivating book packed with intriguing facts, illustrations, photography and more.

Narrated by Sean Barrett
Produced by Wild Dream Films Ltd for the History Channel (2002).