A certain maiden named Agnodice desired to learn medicine. — Hyginus (image via Wikimedia Commons) Agnodice is the first known woman to practice gynecology. But of course, because Ancient Greece was Ancient Greece, she had to cut her hair and dress in male drag in order to visit female patients and cure their ailments. Soon enough, women throughout Athens — both the rich and the poor were so relieved to see a doctor specializing in female medicine that they began asking only to see Agnodice. The male doctors were irate and, of course, charged Agnodice with a host of crimes: lesbian seduction, witchcraft and more.
A Woman to Know: Agnodice
A Woman to Know: Agnodice
A Woman to Know: Agnodice
A certain maiden named Agnodice desired to learn medicine. — Hyginus (image via Wikimedia Commons) Agnodice is the first known woman to practice gynecology. But of course, because Ancient Greece was Ancient Greece, she had to cut her hair and dress in male drag in order to visit female patients and cure their ailments. Soon enough, women throughout Athens — both the rich and the poor were so relieved to see a doctor specializing in female medicine that they began asking only to see Agnodice. The male doctors were irate and, of course, charged Agnodice with a host of crimes: lesbian seduction, witchcraft and more.