Hippocrates

author

Hippocrates

Often called the “father of medicine,” this ancient Greek physician became a lasting symbol of careful observation and ethical medical practice. His name is still closely linked with the Hippocratic Oath and with early efforts to explain illness without relying on superstition.

1 Audiobook

The genuine works of Hippocrates, Vol. 1 (of 2) : Translated from the Greek, with a preliminary discourse and annotations

The genuine works of Hippocrates, Vol. 1 (of 2) : Translated from the Greek, with a preliminary discourse and annotations

by Hippocrates

About the author

Born on the island of Kos around the 5th century BC, Hippocrates is one of the most famous figures in the history of medicine. Ancient tradition credits him with helping shift healing toward close observation of patients, recorded symptoms, diet, and environment rather than purely supernatural explanations.

A collection of ancient medical writings known as the Hippocratic Corpus is associated with his name, though scholars generally agree that these works were written by multiple authors rather than by Hippocrates alone. Even so, they had an enormous influence on later Greek, Roman, Islamic, and European medicine.

His reputation endured for centuries because he came to represent both medical skill and medical ethics. The Hippocratic Oath, although not necessarily written by him personally, kept his name alive as a symbol of the physician’s duty to care for patients responsibly.