National Arch (1)
Asclepius was the son of the God Apollo and a mortal woman named Coronis. He was taught the healing arts by Chiron the centaur, and made a god by Zeus. Asclepius is known by the symbol of his healing power, snakes (as shown in the relief), which often acted as his agents of healing. He also performed his healings through surgery, dreams and prescribed regimens; making Asclepius’s healing a fascinating combination of medical practice and supernatural healing.
The worship of Asclepius began in the late 6th century BC in Epidaurus, about 35 miles south of Corinth. This city actively endorsed the cult and established branch sanctuaries in many different cities; eventually arriving in Corinth by the late 5th century BC, in Athens in 420 BC, and in Rome in 293 BC, spreading as far as Cilicia and resulting in Asclepius becoming the "most important god of healing in the Greco-Roman world." Archaeologists have found and identified more than 300 temples to Asclepius in the Mediterranean region. They have also found numerous votives that were offered at these temples to Asclepius, which were modelled in the shape of various body parts that were healed.
The worship of Asclepius began in the late 6th century BC in Epidaurus, about 35 miles south of Corinth. This city actively endorsed the cult and established branch sanctuaries in many different cities; eventually arriving in Corinth by the late 5th century BC, in Athens in 420 BC, and in Rome in 293 BC, spreading as far as Cilicia and resulting in Asclepius becoming the "most important god of healing in the Greco-Roman world." Archaeologists have found and identified more than 300 temples to Asclepius in the Mediterranean region. They have also found numerous votives that were offered at these temples to Asclepius, which were modelled in the shape of various body parts that were healed.