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‫ چکیده مقالات همایش بین‌المللی جایگاه زن در تمدن ایران و اسلام‬174

The Role and Importance of Women in Ancient Persian Medicine

Arman Zargaran1

The history of Iran could be divided into two main parts, before Islam
or ancient Persia (beginning up to 637 CE) and Islamic era (637 CE up to
now). The first evidences of civilization in Iran dates back to 10000 years ago.
Therefore, Pre Islamic era contains a long history and also Iranian mythology
refers to this era. Medicine in Persia was developed during this long time and
became a well developed system in the end of this era (Sassanid kingdom) and
then transferred to Islamic word, later. Historical evidences show that women
had a great contribution to medical sciences in this period as medical doc-
tors and other treatment staffs in hospitals. Also, there were medical rights for
women like separating hospital wards for them from men wards. Also, the sup-
port of governments for women were in high level, at least from Achaemenid
era (550-330BCE) until the end of ancient times; like supports for pregnants,
to avoid abortion, maternity leave, insurance, etc. Furthermore, many medical
issues like the first correct definition of menstrual cycle, oldest report of cae-
sarian section and definition of some ladies’diseases and medicines can be dis-
covered in the historical evidences of ancient Persian history and mythology.
These evidences show that women had a great importance and role in ancient
Persia, in particular in medical issues.

Keywords: Women, History of medicine, Persian medicine

1. Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Department of History of Medicine, School of Persian Medicine,
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, zargarana@sums.ac.ir