Hippocrates Historical Site

Hippocrates is the figure behind this site. Born on the island of Kos around 460 BC, he became the most famous physician of ancient Greece, and later generations called him the father of medicine. The writings collected under his name, the Hippocratic Corpus, describe illness as a natural process with natural causes, to be treated by observation, diet, rest and careful record-keeping rather than by prayer alone. The Hippocratic Oath, a pledge about medical conduct, grew out of this tradition, and its spirit remains familiar to doctors today.

The place most closely linked to him is the Asclepion, the healing sanctuary on a wooded hill about four kilometres from Kos Town. It was founded after Hippocrates' death, in the fourth century BC, and it should not be confused with a hospital he ran, for there is no evidence that he worked on this spot. Instead, the sanctuary became a centre of the cult of Asclepius, the god of healing, and of the medical school that claimed Hippocrates' legacy. Patients came for rest, bathing and ritual, while priest-physicians combined religious and practical treatment. This blend explains why the site is sometimes called the Hippocratic Sanctuary.

The ruins climb in three terraces connected by stairways. The lowest held the entrance and the baths, the middle terrace had the altar and an Ionic temple, and the highest, which dates to the second century BC, carried a large Doric temple of Asclepius. Columns have been re-erected here and there, so the outline of the buildings is easy to follow, and the sheltered, shady setting matches what the ancient builders wanted: fresh air, clean water and a calm view over the sea. The Aegean Sea and the Turkish coast fill the horizon from the top terrace.

In the town, a venerable plane tree in the square near the castle is known as the Tree of Hippocrates. Tradition says that he taught his pupils beneath it, though the present tree is far younger than the age usually claimed, probably several centuries old, and it is more of a symbol than a proof.

Plan about two hours for the sanctuary and some time in town. The Archaeological Museum of Kos displays a statue of Hippocrates and medical objects found on the island, and the Castle of the Knights and Casa Romana are close by. The site is exposed to the sun, so go early or in late afternoon, wear a hat and bring water. Stairways are uneven, and the walk from the entrance to the top terrace takes about fifteen minutes.