by Shy Less

Created on: May 04, 2010

Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis. He was the half-god of the art of healing.

Coronis was living at the shore of a Thessalic lake, where she often went to bathe. When Apollo saw Coronis he immediately felt in love with her. He slept with her and she got pregnant. When Apollo had to leave he gave a white feathered crow the assignment to protect her while he was away.

Although Coronis was pregnant she still fell in love with a mortal man. His name was Ischys. She was not able to resist his desire and shared the bed with him. The white feathered crow saw everything and immediately flied to Appolo to inform him about what he has seen.

Apollo became furious and cursed the crow because he didn't do anything to stop Ischys sharing the bed with his lover Coronis. Because of the curse the crow became black and the same for its offspring. Since then al the crows were born black coloured.

Apollo went to his sister(Artemis) to whine. She killed the unfaithful with her arrows. Apollo saw the dead Coronis and felt a lot of regret.
While the fire in the process of combustion (cremation) was light he saved his unborn son from the womb of Coronis. He gave him the name Asclepius. The Centaur Chiron became the mentor of Asclepius.

Asclepius learned the art of healing and he was even able to bring the dead alive. Zeus didn't like it and he decided to kill Asclepius with a thunderbolt.

Apollo placed his son at the heaven as the sign of the Zodiac "Ophiochus" or also known as "snake holder". Asclepius is standing with 1 foot between Scorpion and Sagittarius and is lifting the snake with both arms up to the sky.

Apollo was furious about the dead of his unborn son. For revenge he killed the sons of Zeus, the Cyclops. Apollo was not able to escape the punishment from Zeus. As a punishment he had to serve a mortal person for 1 year.

Appollo his plan was succeeded. Because Zeus had called Asclepius back to life. The daughters of Asclepius were Hygieia (goddess of health) and Panacea (goddess of medication). It's said that Asclepius also had 2 sons. The famous Greek medical practitioner Hippokrates would be an offspring from Asclepius.

It's said that Asclepius mainly worked in Epidaurus. According the legend the people went to Epidaurus if they got ill. When you saw a snake in your dream that was a sign that you were cured.

Asclepius was portrayed with a baton, which is surrounded by a snake.
It's known as the symbol of doctor and pharmacists.

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