Asclepius
Also known as: Aesculapius · Asklēpiós · Ἀσκληπιός · Æsculapius
- 1Asclepius is the ancient Greek god of medicine.
- 2He is the son of the god Apollo.
- 3His daughters include Hygieia, Iaso, Aceso, Aegle, and Panacea.
- 4The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, is a modern symbol of medicine.
Asclepius is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology.
Connections1
Son of Apollo and god of medicine
Asclepius is the son of Apollo, inheriting his father's association with healing and medicine, which became a major aspect of Apollo's cult.
Asclepius is a central figure in ancient Greek religion, revered as the god of medicine and a hero of healing. His parentage is traditionally attributed to Apollo and the mortal Coronis, though other accounts suggest different origins. He represents the practical and divine aspects of the medical arts, and his legacy is carried forward by his children, including Hygieia and Panacea.
Zeus-like facial features of Asclepius (Melos)Wikimedia Commons: File:Aesculap_147-.pngRoman coin from Odessos showing Asclepius with Hygieia on one side and Gordian III's portrait on the other side (35mm, 28g)Wikimedia Commons: File:Roman_coin_Asclepius_and_Hygieia.jpgAsclepius (center) arrives in Kos and is greeted by Hippocrates (left) and a citizen (right), mosaic, 2nd–3rd century ADWikimedia Commons: File:Kos_museum_mos01.JPGVotive relief of Asclepius, Epione and Hygieia. Mid-4th cent. BC, Acropolis Museum, Athens.Wikimedia CommonsA Visit to Aesculapius by Edward Poynter, 1880Wikimedia Commons His influence extended beyond Greece, with associations to the Egyptian figure Imhotep and the Roman deity Vediovis. The rod of Asclepius, a staff entwined by a snake, remains a globally recognized symbol of medicine. Physicians and attendants dedicated to his service were known as the Therapeutae of Asclepius.