Aesculapian Snakes
animal_ally earth Greek single tradition · 1
Aesculapian Snakes are non‑venomous snakes used in the rituals of Asclepius' healing temples, allowed to slither freely among the sick in the dormitories. They were introduced at the founding of each new temple of Asclepius throughout the classical world.
When
- First attested
- 500 BCE
- Attested period
- -100 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Mentioned in descriptions of asclepieia from the 5th c. BC onward.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Glycon, Apollo the Physician, Hygieia, Panacea
- serves
- Asclepius
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“In honor of Asclepius, a particular type of non-venomous snake was often used in healing rituals, and these snakes—the Aesculapian Snakes—slithered around freely on the floor in dormitories where the sick and injured slept.”
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