Asclepius

Statue of Asclepius. Handmade of alabaster,and painted in museum patina.

Asclepius (Asclepios)was the ancient Greek god of medicine, and he was also credited with powers of prophecy. The god had several sanctuaries across Greece; the most famous was at Epidaurus which became an important centre of healing in both ancient Greek and Roman times and was the site of athletic, dramatic, and musical games held in Asclepius’ honour every four years.

ASCLEPIOS IN MYTHOLOGY

In Greek mythology, Asclepius (or Asklepios) was a demigod hero as he was the son of divine Apollo, and his mother was the mortal Koronis from Thessaly. In some accounts, Koronis abandoned her child near Epidaurus in shame for his illegitimacy .  And left the baby to be looked after by a goat and a dog.  However, in a different version of the story Koronis was killed by Apollo for being unfaithful.

The motherless Asclepius was then brought up by his father who gave him the gift of healing and the secrets of medicine using plants and herbs. Asclepius was also tutored by Cheiron, the wise centaur who lived on Mt. Pelion.HE had many children – two sons: Machaon and Podaleirios, and four daughters: Iaso, Panacea, Aceso, and Aglaia. In some traditions he was married to Hygeia, also a goddess of health; in another version she was his daughter and HE married Epione. The descendants of HIM, who continued in the art of medicine and healing, were known as the Asclepiads. Machaon, for example, helped Menelaos when he was wounded in the Trojan War, but the most famous doctor of the family was undoubtedly Hippocrates.

THE DEATH OF ASCLEPIUS

Asclepius met a tragic end when he was killed by a thunderbolt thrown by Zeus. This was because the father of the gods saw that his medical skills as a threat to the eternal division between humanity and the gods, especially following rumours that Asclepius’ healing powers were so formidable that he could even raise the dead (for which he used the blood of Medusa given to him by Athena)