Corpus Hippocraticum в европейската традиция
Corpus Hippocraticum in the European tradition

Summary/Abstract: The works attributed to Hippocrates are gathered in the so called Corpus Hippocraticum. It contains about 70 works of different character. The titles and the number of the works are defined in Alexandria during the Hellenism (III c. BC). These are textbooks for doctors, lectures and instructions for those who study medicine, descriptions of different disease symptoms, popular advices to sick people, ethic works, etc. The biggest number of scholars adhere to the opinion that Corpus Hippocraticum is just a library. Their main point is that this is the library of the Asclepiadae from the island of Kos, who for many years gathered in the temple of Health their own works for a closed circle of professionals. It is a fact that the works of Corpus Hippocraticum reveal a wholesome doctrine which unites the most progressive characteristics of the ancient medicine. By rational explanation of the empiric data it rejects the superstitions and confirms the active love for people as a principle factor in the strife for their health. During the time of emperor Nero (54–68 AD) in Rome was made “A Dictionary of the Hippocratic Terns” which still exists today. Its author is Erotianus. In the introduction of his book he presents the first list of names of commentators known at his time. Later on Aulus Cornelius Celsus (I c. AD) in his book “About medicine” tries to elucidate some Hippocratic texts by comparing passages from different works. The most important and well known commentator of Hippocrates is Galen (II c. AD). His works represent an important contribution to Corpus Hippocraticum. Writing his commentaries Galen first of all explains the meaning of the text and after that reveals if it is correct. The most important and most valuable manuscripts of Corpus Hippocraticum are kept in libraries in Vatican, Athens, Paris, London, Rome and Vienna. It is interesting that in aspect to spelling and language the earlier codices are better than the later. Each manuscript includes different collections of works or one and the same works but in different order. According to many scholars this fact proves the hypothesis that the nucleus of Corpus Hippocrtaicum is the library of the medical school at the island of Kos. The first printed edition of Corpus Hippocraticum appears in 1525 in Rome. Except for the original text it includes a Latin translation by Marcus Fabius Calvus. Similar to it is the first edition of Anutius Foesius which comes out of print in 1588 both in Frankfurt and in Venice. This edition is used as a basis for many transcriptions for personal use. The first really scholar edition is that of Emile Littre. Only a profound study of Hippocratic works could help us see what we owe to this author who devoted to Corpus Hippocraticum 22 years of his life (Budé, 1839–61). Concerning the commentaries, as the most useful edition is considered the one by Franciscus Zacharia Ermerinus, published in Utrecht during 1859–64. ...

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