Vita brevis: an interpretation of Hippocrates’ first Aphorism

Abstract

The article proposes an interpretation of Hippocrates' famous first Aphorism, Vita brevis, ars longa. After a terminological survey of the text and the explanations it has received traditionally, the author puts forward some arguments in favour of understanding the vita brevis dictum in the sense that it is the life of the patient, treated by the doctor, which is too short. In connection with this main thesis she also takes into consideration the problems of communication between the two. To conclude the paper there follows an outline of the history of Hippocrates' aphorism in quotations.