Hippocrates

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This is an ancient marble bust of Hippocrates of Kos (c. 460 – c. 370 BC), also known as Hippocrates II, a renowned Greek physician of the Age of Pericles (Classical Greece), widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of medicine. He is frequently referred to as the "Father of Medicine" in recognition of his enduring contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic School of Medicine. This prestigious intellectual school revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece, establishing it as a distinct discipline separate from other fields with which it had traditionally been associated (theurgy and philosophy), thereby solidifying medicine as a respected profession. However, the accomplishments of the writers of the Corpus, the practitioners of Hippocratic medicine, and the actions of Hippocrates himself were often intertwined; thus very little is known about what Hippocrates actually thought, wrote, and did. Hippocrates is commonly depicted as the epitome of the ancient physician and credited with creating the Hippocratic Oath, which remains relevant and in use today. He is also credited with significantly advancing the systematic study of clinical medicine, summarizing the medical knowledge of previous schools, and prescribing practices for physicians through the Hippocratic Corpus and other works.