The influence of the king on medical practice in ancient Mesopotamia

Rulers in ancient Mesopotamia were interested in their own health and, by the second millenium B.C., medicine was extended to the population, but not to the conquered people. Physicians were very few and under patronage and control of the king; they were a cast lower than priests and considered as skilled technicians, with a great influence. Surgeons and veterinary surgeons were also encouraged, but kings promulgated laws to reward and penalise surgeons for damage or trauma or failure to effect a cure of the patients, heritage of the lex talionis.