The Harvard Classics Volume 38

This volume brings listeners into the world of ancient Greek medicine through the surviving works of Hippocrates, the physician often called the “Father of Medicine.” It sketches his life on the island of Cos, his travels, and the early medical traditions that shaped his thinking, setting the stage for a timeless exploration of healing practices that began over two millennia ago.

The collection includes the famed Hippocratic Oath, a solemn pledge that outlines the responsibilities of doctors to patients, mentors, and society. Alongside the oath are practical guidelines and aphorisms that reveal how early physicians balanced scientific observation with moral duty, emphasizing humility, confidentiality, and the importance of continual learning. Listeners will hear the same principles that still echo in modern medical ethics, presented in clear, engaging prose that makes the ancient texts feel surprisingly relevant today.