Galen and Hippocrates, Ancient Physicians

Ancient physicians Galen (left) and Hippocrates (right). In the seventeenth century, the empiricist Hippocrates came to be seen as superior to the more theoretical Galen, as symbolized in this engraving of the two men. Hippocrates is shown touching the rosebush on the side of the flowers while Galen touches only thorns. From Justus Cortnumm (ca. 1624-1675), De Morbo Attonito Liber Unus, Leipzig, 1677. Galen (131-201) was born in Pergamos in Asia Minor. After receiving medical training in Smyrna and Alexandria, he gained fame as a surgeon to the gladiators of Pergamos. He was eventually summoned to Rome to be the physician of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Galen spent the rest of his life at the Court. Hippocrates (460-370 BC) was a Greek physician who is generally considered to be the father of medicine, although little is actually known about him. His influence survives in the Hippocratic oath, a code of medical ethics some medical students take on completion of their training. He founded a medical school on the Aegean island of Cos, where his ideas on medical conduct and practice were implemented. He advocated a rational approach to medicine, believing that disease was caused by physical phenomenon and not by the interference of the gods

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Ethics Galen Hippocrates Hippocratic Hippokrates Oath Polymath Rational Surgeon

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