Aesculapius (Asclepius)

Aesculapius (or Asclepius) is an ancient Greek god associated with healing and medicine. He is often depicted holding a staff with a serpent entwined around it, symbolizing healing and renewal. According to mythology, Aesculapius was a skilled healer who could bring people back from illness or death, earning the respect of gods and humans alike. His temples, known as healing centers or Asclepions, functioned as early medical clinics where patients sought cures through rituals, offerings, and treatments. Aesculapius remains a symbol of medicine today, represented by the caduceus and the rod of Asclepius.