Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Hygeia

Hygeia, the goddess of health, wasn’t just concerned with curing illness; she championed preventative measures like cleanliness and a healthy lifestyle.

Hygea, copia romana da originale greco del III sec. ac.JPG
Statue of Hygeia, 1st c. AD. Hermitage Museum. (c) Sailko

Residence: Mount Olympus
Symbols: Snake
Parents: Asclepius and Epione
Siblings: Aegle, Iaso, Aceso and Panacea
Roman equivalent: Salus

Hygeia, daughter and attendant of the famed Asclepius, the god of medicine, wasn’t just his assistant; she embodied a distinct aspect of healing. Unlike her sister Panacea (Cure-All) who focused on remedies, Hygeia championed prevention – a focus on cleanliness, healthy habits, and overall well-being.

Art

Statue of Hygeia, c. 200 AD, Turkey. Getty Villa.
Relief of Hygeia and Asclepius, Budapest, 3rd c. AD. Hungarian National Museum.
Statue of Julia Procula as Hygeia, 1st c. AD, Tomb of Julia Procula, Isola Sacra Necropolis. Ostia Archaeological Museum.
Relief of Hygeia and Asclepius, Budapest.
Aquincum Museum.
Bust of Hygeia, 1st-3rd c. AD, Rome. Palazzo Altemps.
Statue of Hygeia and Asclepius. Rome, 2nd c. AD. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
Statue of a Roman as Hygeia, Minturnae, 2nd c. AD. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
Statue of Hygeia and Asclepius, 2nd c. AD, Rome. Vatican Museum.
Relief of Hygeia, Asclepius and Epione. Acropolis Museum. (c) Holger Uwe Schmitt