worship of Asclepius

Worship of Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing, involved rituals and offerings to seek health and relief from ailments. Worshipers visited temples called Asclepieia, where they engaged in prayers, sacrifices, and dream incubation—resting in sacred spaces believed to facilitate divine healing insights. Priests and priestesses guided patients through examinations and rituals, interpreting dreams to diagnose and prescribe treatments. This practice integrated spiritual devotion with healing, reflecting the ancient Greeks’ belief in divine intervention as a vital part of health and well-being.