Agnodice Becomes Disguised Female Physician

In the 4th century BC, Agnodice of Athens cut her hair, dressed as a man, and studied medicine under Herophilus, as laws barred women from the profession. She treated women who avoided male physicians, grew popular, and rival doctors accused her of seducing patients. Her patients openly defended her expertise when she came out as a woman during her trial before the Areopagus. The court acquitted her, and Athens revoked the ban on female physicians.

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