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Aesculapius and Hygieia

Ancient Greek divinity, patron of medicine. His cult was introduced to Rome on the Tiberina Island in 291 B.C. Tradition has it that the city was hit by a plague that year. After having consulted the Sybilline Books, the Roman Senate decided to construct a temple to the god, and to this end a delegation was sent to Epidaurus to obtain a statue of the god. Upon their return with the statue, a snake, symbol of the god, slid off the boat just as it arrived to Rome and swam towards the Tiberina Island. This was interpreted as the god expressing his desire for the location of his new temple, which was immediately built on the spot. With an uninterrupted hopsital presence since then, today the island is occupied by the Fatebenefratelli, one of the most important hospitals in Europe. Hygieia is the personification of physical and spiritual health, elevated to divinity and held to be the daughter or wife of Aesculapius. She is invoked against illness and physical harm. His cult was strong in the Roman period, and his symbol is the rod entwined by a snake. He is invoked for healing and the return of lost health. Based on a relief by Thorvaldsen, Thorvaldsen Museum Copenaghen
Aesculapius and Hygieia

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