KOS (Kill on Sight) is a type of RDM in a game where players can kill anyone they see, regardless of gear or status. It is usually only allowed on servers where the owner/admin allows it, and can be very harmful to the community.
Kos pays homage to the father of medicine Hippocrates with the famous plane tree and the ruins of his hospital, Asklepion. Among other things, you’ll discover impressive temples and stunning beaches.
1. Hippocrates’ Birthplace
In the centre of Kos, there is a plane tree which was supposedly planted by Hippocrates. It is a legend that he used to sit under the shade of this tree and practice medicine there. Thousands of tourists visit this place every year.
According to the information that we have about Hippocrates, he was born in Kos around 460 BCE. He was the father of modern medicine, and he classified clinical and physical observations. He also formulated new therapeutic methods and condemned witchcraft, magic and superstitions.
Hippocrates was a well-travelled man and visited many places. He was interested in learning about the local habitats, climate and people. He also studied different medicines and nutrition. He realised that the patient must be treated as a whole, rather than just a series of symptoms. He also praised the importance of regular exercise and good diet in health. He had two sons, Thessalus and Dracon, who followed the family tradition by becoming eminent physicians. He died at an advanced age and was buried between Melivoia and Larisa, in Thessaly.
2. Platano Tree
A massive plane tree stands in the center of Lotzia Square on Kos, where Hippocrates reputedly taught. It is said to be a descendant of the original from Hippocrates’ time and is rumored to be more than 500 years old. Its trunk is so huge that it’s almost 10 meters wide! There are two Ottoman fountains around it with an inscription that says the water is from the “tree of Hippocrates”.
When Hippocrates sat under the plane in the center of town expounding his theories of healing, he had no idea that millennia later, he would be known as “the father of medicine.” His medical techniques were more scientific than those of the Asclepion, and he was the first physician to believe that disease was caused by diet and environment rather than as punishment inflicted by the gods. Hippocrates also invented a number of instruments to help him diagnose and treat patients. He died in Larissa in Thessaly at an old age, and his teachings survived and are still the foundation of modern medicine.
3. Eleftheria Square
Kos is a vibrant island that never sleeps, especially during summer when the main street of the “Old Town” bustles with locals and tourists alike. It is also one of the most popular spots for dining, with plenty of options on the square and around it.
During his lifetime, Hippocrates radically reformed the medical school of the Asclepeion and made it more scientific, focusing on anatomy, physiology and pathology. He is known as the father of medicine and his teachings influenced all future doctors. He believed that every disease has a natural cause and that nutrition plays a significant role in health and sickness.
You can easily visit Kos’ highlights in just a few hours, walking around the famous Platanou Square and seeing the Defterdar Mosque built with materials from ancient structures. Across the mosque you’ll find Hippocrates’ Plane Tree, where it is claimed that he used to teach his students. Its huge trunk is over 2500 years old! Enjoy a leisurely walk around the square or stroll along the tree-lined streets and take in the calming atmosphere.
4. Medieval Castle
Exotic stretches of sand, pebbled bays, rocky coves and emerald waters abound on Kos. The island also has a rich history with sites from classical antiquity that have made significant contributions to philosophy, astrology and medicine.
The Neratzia castle was built by the Knights of St John in the 14th century and is picturesquely perched on a peninsula east of Kos town. It was once surrounded by walls and a moat that have since been transformed into a beautiful palm boulevard. The bridge that used to connect the inner and outer enclosures can still be seen in Phoinikon street.
The most important monument of the castle is a rectangular inner fortress that was constructed under the Magister of the Order of the Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Jean de Lastic (1437-1454). There are circular towers at the corners, bastions and canopies. There are heraldic shields of Grand Masters of the Order on the masonry. The tower defense Carmadino door has the emblem of the Order on its middle. This was where Hippocrates used to meet his students. He taught that all diseases have natural causes and that nutrition plays an important role in sickness and health. He also condemned witchcraft and magic, which he viewed as superstition.
5. Marmari Beach
Kos is an island of history, culture and spectacular beaches. It is a cosmopolitan destination that also offers traditional food and drinks, and its people are warm and hospitable. Many of them are involved in local production, producing excellent honey and handmade sweets, special cheese, wine and traditional beverages such as “kanelada”.
The Asclepieion on the hill clothed with lush flora was once an ancient temple dedicated to Asclepius and a hospital. It was one of the leading healing centres of the ancient world, and Hippocrates – who is known as the Father of Medicine – founded its school for medicine here.
The celebrated Tree of Hippocrates is a descendant of the original plane tree that stood here 2400 years ago, and was the inspiration for the Hippocratic Oath. It is the most important landmark on the island. The American College of Physicians has a mace with a wooden shaft made from a branch of this tree. Many other medical colleges, libraries or institutions have trees cut or seeded from this tree.