Kos was inhabited from the very early Bronze Age (2900-2100 BC) as the prehistoric tombs and the findings in Asklupi and in the White Stone cave prove. Pelasgi, Kares and Leleges were the first inhabitants. Phoenicians and Achaeans passed through Kos as well.
We can also find relics of the Mycenaean Era or the later Bronze Age (1600-1150 BC). "Karis" and "Meropis" are the ancient names of Kos. Plinios also called it "Nimphea". In the second rhapsody of Iliad, Homer tells us that Kos along with the islands of Nysiros, Kalymnos, Karpathos and Kassos took part in the Trojan War with thirty ships. This was followed by the Dorianization of the island, when, during the 7th and 6th century BC, Kos took part in the Federal Alliance of "Dorian Hexapolis". There is a huge number and variety of ceramics of the Geometric Era, which was brought to light by archeological diggings. The "municipalities", seven in total along with the one of Kos, were formed through the years and the citizens began to prosper. The sailors and merchants that traveled in the Aegean sea, ranked Kos in the same wealth category with the other islands of Asia Minor's coast (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes) giving them the name "Makaron Islands".
Hippocrates-Father of Medicine
Hippocrates is considered by scientists to be the founder of medicine. He may have been the most important doctor of the ancient times and the best representative of the Medical School of Kos. He was also a profound philosopher and humanitarian. He was born in Kos in 460 BC and was the son...
I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Hygeia, and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill, according to my ability and judgment, this Oath and covenant. To hold him, who has taught me this art, as equal to my parents...
According to the most popular myth, Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Koronida, daughter of the King of Thesallia Fleyia. Koronida fell in love with Ishi and so Apollo ordered her death from his sister Artemis. Apollo saved the infant Koronida was carrying, he took it to Pylio and entrusted its upbringing to either...
