First Aid on the Front Lines – Greeks, Romans, and Military Medicine (500 BCE – 500 CE)

The battlefield has long been a testing ground for medical innovation, and in the classical world, first aid evolved dramatically.

In Ancient Greece, physicians like Hippocrates began identifying and systemising medical knowledge. Greek soldiers were taught to clean wounds with boiled water, vinegar, or wine—an early understanding of sterilisation. Herbs like myrrh and aloe were commonly used for their antiseptic properties.

The Romans professionalised first aid like never before. The Roman army trained medics known as capsarii to carry medical kits and administer basic treatments. They even created the first mobile field hospitals and horse-drawn ambulance carts to transport the wounded—a concept still used in military medicine today.

Legacy of the Legions:

These ancient systems—triage, cleanliness, mobility—are the foundation of many modern emergency practices.

Bringing it Forward:

Puzzled Training continues this legacy with accredited, hands-on courses that prepare individuals and workplaces to handle emergencies with skill and confidence.

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