Asclepius

Asclepius is the god of medicine. His Roman counterpart is Aesculapius. He is considered to be the favorite son of Apollo.

History
Asclepius is the son of Apollo and Princess Coronis of the Lapiths. Coronis fell in love with a mortal man while she was pregnant with Asclepius. When Apollo discovered this, he killed the lovers in a rage, but saved his child out of remorse. The newborn was then taken to be raised by Chiron who taught the demigod in medicine and would drive him to become the greatest of healers.

Asclepius became a favorite of Athena who gave him a vial of Gorgon Blood. This allowed him to cure any illness, heal any injury, and even bring back the dead. Furious, Hades forced Zeus to strike Asclepius dead with his thunderbolt for his transgression against the natural laws. Angered by the death of his son, Apollo killed one of the Cyclopes in retaliation. To prevent a feud, Asclepius was resurrected and made into a god.

His cult became extermely popular in classic times, spreading outwards from his chief shrines located in the Argive town Epidauros, which purported to offer suplicants cures to their physical ills. The Asklepiads, an ancient giuld of Doctors, were also devotees of the God.

Aesculapius
Asclepius can change his appearance into his Roman aspect of Aesculapius; becoming more disciplined, militaristic, and warlike.

Consorts

 * Aristodama
 * Epione

Immortal Children

 * Aratus
 * Aceso
 * Hygieia
 * Iaso
 * Machaon
 * Meditrina
 * Panacea
 * Podaleirios
 * Telesphoros

Demigod Children

 * Vitallius (Lar)

The Rod of Asclepius
The Rod of Asclepius is often confused with Hermes' Caduceus, however the Caduceus has two snakes (George and Martha), and the Rod of Asclepius has one. The cadeucus is sometimes used mistakenly by medical companies.

Trivia

 * The name of his daughters each rather transperantly reflects a certain subset of the overall theme of "good health".
 * His rod is sometimes mistaken with the caduceus.

Gallery
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