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Latin Language · The Hippocratic Oath

Hippocratic Oath

Hippocratis Jus Jurandum

The Hippocratic Oath is a foundational historical document that established the core deontological principles of medicine. It contains a solemn pledge taken by those entering the medical profession, promising to adhere to professional ethics, medical confidentiality, and the principle of "do no harm".

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OriginWritten by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC in the Ionic dialect.
TerminologyIn Greek, the oath is called horkos, and in Latin, Jus-jurandum.
AsclepiadsThis was the name given to members of the medical guild, followers of the god Asclepius.
Essence of the OathRefraining from causing harm, maintaining confidentiality, and respecting the teacher.
4 min readFor medical studentsUpdated 09/24/2026
Material prepared by WhiteCoat Pro editorial team based on platform study guidesReviewed by medical editor: Aulov A. A., general practitioner · 09/24/2026

Historical Context and Purpose

The document was created in the fifth century BC by the great ancient healer. The original text was written in Ancient Greek, specifically in the Ionic dialect. Traditionally, this oath (in Latin — Jus-jurandum, in Greek — horkos) was recited by every "novice" who was about to become a full member of the professional medical community.

Members of such a corporation proudly called themselves Asclepiads, meaning followers of Asclepius, the god of medicine. By taking the oath, the future physician solemnly swore to avoid any vicious and reprehensible acts, as well as to safeguard their high professional dignity. Today, these ethical and moral rules remain extremely relevant, forming the unshakable foundation of medical deontology for twenty-first-century practitioners.

Structure and Deontological Principles

The text of the oath is logically divided into several semantic blocks that clearly define the doctor's standards of conduct.

  • Introduction (Invocation): The physician invokes the pantheon of healing gods as witnesses, swearing to fulfill their promises honestly, to the best of their physical abilities (vires) and judgment (judicium).
  • Relation to the Mentor: The experienced teacher who imparted the art of healing (ars) to the young physician is equated forever to their own parents (parentes). The disciple solemnly undertakes to assist them in need and voluntarily share food or material sustenance with them (alimentum).
  • Patient's Benefit: Any patient regimen and prescription must be directed exclusively to their benefit and advantage. This strictly enshrines the crucial principle of avoiding harm and preventing injustice (known as Noli nocere).
  • Medical Prohibitions: It is strictly forbidden to give patients lethal remedies, even if requested (prohibition of euthanasia). It is likewise inadmissible to assist or suggest a path toward such intentions. One must lead their life and practice their art in purity and holiness.
  • Medical Confidentiality: Absolutely everything that a doctor hears or sees during active treatment, as well as outside of it regarding people's private lives, must not be disclosed. Such information must always be considered a strict secret.
  • Sanction: This is the final curse or blessing formula of the document. If the oath is kept sacredly and faithfully (fideliter servem), the physician will be met with immortal glory in society (gloriam immortalem) and happiness. In case of perjury (pejerem) and violation of vows, the opposite fate (misfortune and oblivion) will befall them.
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Latin Terminology and Mythology

For a deep understanding of this historical document, it is essential to know the mythological context and grammatical features of the Latin translation.

For example, the preposition per (through, by means of) when used with the accusative case (Accusativus) in oaths is translated as "in the name of" someone (swearing by Apollo). The main witnesses invoked are the following deities:

  1. Apollo — revered in the post-Homeric era as the "physician of the gods".
  2. Aesculapius — son of Apollo, supreme god of the healing arts.
  3. Hygia — daughter of Aesculapius, revered as the goddess of health.
  4. Panacea — another daughter of Aesculapius, a goddess whose name literally means "all-healing".

The Latin text of the document frequently features specific future active participles (e.g., praestaturum, habiturum, impertiturum). Combined with the copula verb esse, they form the nominal part of the predicate and translate as a firm intention or promise to perform an action in the future (I will keep, I intend to consider, I am resolved to devote). The verb spondeo is used to express a solemn obligation.

Briefly: answers to topical questions

What medical manipulations and actions are strictly prohibited by the original text of the Hippocratic Oath?

The original text of the oath strictly prohibits euthanasia, assistance in dying, abortions, and the infliction of any harm upon the patient. The physician pledges to avoid the following actions:

  • Euthanasia and abortions (mortiferum medicamentum) — an absolute refusal to give anyone a requested lethal remedy.
  • Complicity (consilium) — a refusal to suggest paths toward such an intention.
  • Infliction of harm (perniciōsa) — the obligation to refrain from causing any harm and injustice.
  • Breach of confidentiality (in vulgus efferre) — a ban on disclosing information about people's lives heard during treatment or outside of it.
How to memorize

To memorize the four main healing deities from the beginning of the oath, use the acronym AAHF: Apollo (father), Aesculapius (son), Hygeia and Panacea (granddaughters/daughters).

Class and exam questions

To whom was this oath originally given?

It was solemnly recited before the healing deities by novices entering the medical guild (the corporation of the Asclepiads).

What does the oath say about euthanasia?

The document strictly prohibits giving anyone a requested lethal remedy (mortiferum medicamentum) or suggesting a path toward such an intention.

How was the violation of the oath punished?

The text outlines a sanction: if a doctor breaks or violates the oath, misfortune and oblivion will befall them (instead of glory and happiness).

What are the obligations towards the teacher?

The teacher of the healing art is equated to parents. The doctor swears to share sustenance with them and help in times of need.

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What else to study on this topic

  • Grammatical features of future participles (Accusativus with esse).
  • Analysis of the construction with the preposition per in oath formulas.
  • Legal and general medical vocabulary of the oath (testis, stipulatio, judicium).
  • Etymology and meaning of Latin pronouns (mepte, quibuscunque).

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Other topics in the "Hippocratic Oath" section

Lexical and Grammatical Analysis of the Hippocratic Oath
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