Agnodice

Agnodice (c. 4th century BCE) was a legendary female physician in ancient Athens. Her story, recounted by the Roman author Gaius Julius Hyginus in his Fabulae, is significant as it highlights the challenges women faced in pursuing medical practice in ancient Greece and provides an early example of a woman disguising herself as a man to overcome those barriers.

According to the tale, Athenian law forbade women from studying or practicing medicine. Agnodice, deeply disturbed by the high mortality rate of women during childbirth, disguised herself as a man to study medicine under Herophilus (though some accounts name other physicians). After completing her studies, she began practicing medicine, still disguised.

Initially, Agnodice's success and the trust women placed in her aroused suspicion among other physicians, who accused her of seducing their patients. When brought before the Areopagus, Agnodice revealed her true gender to defend herself. The male physicians then accused her of illegally practicing medicine as a woman.

However, the wives of prominent Athenians, who had benefited from Agnodice's care, intervened on her behalf. They praised her skill and refused to seek medical treatment from any other physician. Faced with the outcry from these influential women, the Areopagus repealed the law prohibiting women from practicing medicine. As a result, Agnodice became a celebrated and respected physician in Athens.

The historicity of Agnodice is debated among scholars, as Hyginus' Fabulae is the sole source of her story and is often regarded as a collection of myths and legends rather than a historical record. However, the tale of Agnodice serves as a powerful narrative illustrating the constraints placed on women in ancient Greek society and their determination to overcome those obstacles in pursuit of knowledge and service.