Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Asclepius

Asclepius, son of the god Apollo and a mortal woman, was the revered god of medicine. He wasn’t just worshipped for his healing abilities, but was also considered the patron god and reputed ancestor of the Asclepiads, the ancient guild of doctors. This association solidified his connection to the medical profession and his legacy as a symbol of healing.

Residence: Mount Olympus
Symbols: Serpent-entwined staff
Parents: Apollo and Coronis
Consort: Epione
Children: Hygeia, Iaso, Aceso, Aegle, Panacea, Machaon, Podalirius, Telesphorus and Aratus
Roman equivalent: Aesculapius

Asclepius’ arrival in the world was marked by tragedy. His mother died in childbirth, but Apollo, in a desperate act, intervened with a divine caesarian section, saving the child. This unconventional birth is hinted at in Asclepius’ very name. Raised by Chiron, the wise centaur renowned for his knowledge of healing, Asclepius blossomed into a prodigy of medicine. His skills surpassed even his teachers, becoming legendary.

However, Asclepius’ ambition grew. He dared to challenge the natural order by bringing the dead back to life. This act of hubris, this overreach, angered Zeus, the king of gods. As punishment, Zeus struck Asclepius down with a thunderbolt.

Apollo, enraged by his son’s demise, lashed out at Zeus in vengeance. He killed the Cyclopes, the very beings who forged the thunderbolts. This act resulted in Apollo’s exile from Mount Olympus and forced service to a mortal king. Despite his punishment, Asclepius’ legacy endured. He was honored among the stars as the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Holder. Eventually, through Apollo’s pleas, Zeus relented and granted Asclepius a place among the gods on Mount Olympus.

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