The cities of the Hippocratic doctors

Abstract

This paper is a study of Greek cities in the northern Aegean, which were recorded in the Epidemics as places that Hippocratic doctors visited. The purpose is to determine how such places may help us to define the social and economic roles of Greek physicians in the late Classical period. As the historical sources will demonstrate, though lesser-known, these northern cities appear to have been large urban centres and trading posts, where labour division and specialisation were well developed and where wealthy clients resided. As craftsmen who were in constant need of profitable returns, the Hippocratic doctors were attracted to these locations due to the profitable patronage and employment opportunities they provided.