Asclepius: The God of Medicine, 17cm Full length alabaster statue, Ancient Greece

Asclepius (Greek: Άσκληπιός)

Is a hero and God of healing and medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. He is the son of Apollo and Coronis, or Arsinoe, or of Apollo alone. Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts. His daughters are Hygieia ("Hygiene", the goddess of cleanliness and health), Iaso (the goddess of recuperation from illness), Aceso (the goddess of the healing process), Aegle (the goddess of good health) and Panacea (the goddess of universal remedy). He shared with Apollo the epithet Paean ("the Healer"). The Rod of Asclepius is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by him. Theories have been proposed about the Greek origin of the symbol and its implications. In modern times, it is the predominant symbol for medicine and health care, but due to a misunderstanding, the Caduceus (the heralds wand of Hermes) is sometimes seen in this context. Those physicians and attendants who served this god were known as the Therapeutae of Asclepius. The original oath of Hippocrates states in the introduction: I swear by the god Apollo the physician and the god Asclepius and in Hygieia and Panacea and invoking the testimony of all the gods that I will fulfill this oath and this agreement according to my power and judgment.

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