Abstract
Anesthesiology is nowadays an independent and multidisciplinary speciality of great demand and responsibility and plays a preponderant role in the human life, from the moment of birth.
Anesthesiology has evolved since the earliest times to the present, along with the advances of science, intercepting most medical and surgical specialties, to the extent of being essential to us nowadays.
From the days of magic to the present time, the history of the speciality deserves to be visited.
This article of historical research provides a timeline review of the main themes and milestones of the specialty all over the world and particularly in Portugal, from ancient control of pain, the evolution of ressuscitation and critical care until the new technics and holistic care provided by modern Anesthesiology.