Cult of Aesculapius

The Cult of Aesculapius centered around the ancient Greek and Roman god of medicine and healing. Practitioners believed that Aesculapius possessed divine powers to cure illnesses and promote health. They established healing temples called Asclepieia, where patients would visit for treatment through rituals, offerings, and dreams interpreted by priests. The cult emphasized holistic healing, combining spiritual practices with early medical techniques. This tradition laid the foundation for medical practice in Western history and influenced the symbol of medicine— the staff with a serpent, known as the Rod of Asclepius.