Asclepius the Healer, a heroic healer in ancient Greece, encounters a wounded snake which imparts healing secrets to him. He becomes one of the most sought-after healers in Greece. The podcast discusses the rare occurrence of bringing someone back from the dead in Greek mythology and the challenges faced by Asclepius. It also delves into the tragic story of Hippolytus and the symbolism of snakes in medicine.
Asclepius gains the power to resurrect the dead using Gorgon blood and is ultimately struck down by Zeus.
The association of snakes with medicine originates from Asclepius' extraordinary healing abilities.
Deep dives
Apollo's Failed Love
Apollo falls in love with a mortal woman named Coronus, but she falls in love with someone else. Apollo turns all ravens black after discovering Coronus with another man.
Asclepius' Healing Abilities
Asclepius, the son of Apollo, becomes a prodigious healer and learns the secrets of medicine and healing from Chiron. He gains the ability to bring people back from the dead using vials of Gorgon blood.
Asclepius' Tragic Fate
Asclepius revives Hippolytus and Galaukos from the dead, angers the gods, and is ultimately struck down by Zeus' thunderbolt. He is immortalized in the stars as the Ophiuchus constellation, and the symbol of snakes remains associated with medicine in honor of his healing abilities.
Oh Muses! We tell the tale of Asclepius and his heroic deeds. In it we encounter the first Cesarian section, love gone wrong, the off-stage death of a minor character, anatomically named gods, death by honey, and the perils of being the healer.
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