Asclepius

Asclepius (/æsˈkliːpiəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἀσκληπιός Asklēpiós el; Latin: Aesculapius) is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. He is the son of Apollo and Coronis, or Arsinoe, or of Apollo alone. Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts; his daughters, the Asclepiades, are: Hygieia ("Health, Healthiness"), Iaso (from ἴασις "healing, recovering, recuperation", the goddess of recuperation from illness), Aceso (from ἄκεσις "healing", the goddess of the healing process), Aegle (the goddess of good health) and Panacea (the goddess of universal remedy). He has several sons as well. He was associated with the Roman/Etruscan god Vediovis and the Egyptian Imhotep.[1] The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff similar to the caduceus, remains a symbol of medicine today. Those physicians and attendants who served this god were known as the Therapeutae of Asclepius.

## Contents

* 1 Etymology
* 2 Epithets
* 3 Mythology
* 3.1 Birth
* 3.2 Education and adventures
* 3.3 Marriage and family
* 3.4 Death and immortality
* 4 Sacred places and practices
* 5 See also
* 6 Notes
* 7 References
* 7.1 Primary sources
* 7.2 Secondary sources
* 8 External links

## Etymology

The etymology of the name is unknown. In his revised version of Frisk's Griechisches etymologisches Wörterbuch (Greek Etymological Dictionary), R. S. P. Beekes gives this summary of the different attempts:

"H. Grégoire (with R. Goossens and M. Mathieu) in Asklépios, Apollon Smintheus et Rudra 1949 (Mém. Acad. Roy. de Belgique. Cl. d. lettres. 2. sér. 45), explains the name as "the mole-hero", connecting σκάλοψ, ἀσπάλαξ 'mole' and refers to the resemblance of the Tholos in Epidauros and the building of a mole. (Thus Puhvel, Comp. Mythol. 1987, 135.) But the variants of Asklepios and those of the word for "mole" do not agree.

The name is typical for Pre-Greek words; apart from minor variations (β for π, αλ(α) for λα) we find α/αι (a well known variation; Fur. 335–339) followed by -γλαπ- or -σκλαπ-/-σχλαπ/β-, i.e. a voiced velar (without -σ-) or a voiceless velar (or an aspirated one: we know that there was no distinction between the three in the substr. language) with a -σ-. I think that the -σ- renders an original affricate, which (prob. as δ) was lost before the -γ- (in Greek the group -σγ- is rare, and certainly before another consonant).

Szemerényi's etymology (JHS 94, 1974, 155) from Hitt. assula(a)- "well-being" and piya- "give" cannot be correct, as it does not explain the velar."[2]

Beekes suggested a Pre-Greek proto-form *(a)-syklap-.[3]

His name may mean "to cut open" from a story about his birth.[4]

## Epithets

He shared with Apollo the epithet Paean ("the Healer").[5] He was called Aulonius, derived from a temple he had in Aulon, a valley in ancient Messenia.[6]

## Mythology

### Birth

Asclepius was the son of Apollo and, according to the earliest accounts, a mortal woman named Koronis (Coronis), who was a princess of Tricca in Thessaly.[7][8] When she displayed infidelity by sleeping with a mortal named Ischys, Apollo found out with his prophetic powers and killed Ischys. Coronis was killed by Artemis for being unfaithful to Apollo and was laid out on a funeral pyre to be consumed, but Apollo rescued the child by cutting him from Coronis's womb.[9]

According to Delphian tradition, Asclepius was born in the temple of Apollo, with Lachesis acting as a midwife and Apollo relieving the pains of Coronis. Apollo named the child after Coronis's nickname, Aegle.[10]

Phoenician tradition maintains that Asclepius was born of Apollo without any woman involved.[11]

According to the Roman poet Ovid, Apollo, having learned about Coronis's betrayal with the mortal Ischys through his raven Lycius, killed her with his arrows. Before breathing her last breath, she revealed to Apollo that she was pregnant with his child. He repented his actions and unsuccessfully tried to save her. At last, he removed their son safely from her belly before she was consumed by the fire.[12]

In yet another version, Coronis who was already pregnant with Apollo's child, had to accompany her father to Peloponnesos. She had kept her pregnancy hidden from her father. In Epidaurus, she bore a son and exposed him on a mountain called Tittheion (from τίτθη "wet nurse", τιτθεύω "to suckle, breastfeed"). The child was given milk by one of the goats that pastured about the mountain, and was guarded by the watch-dog of the herd. Aresthanas, the owner of goats and the guard dogs found the child. As he came near, he saw lightning that flashed from the child, and thinking of it to be a sign of the divine, he left the child alone. Asclepius was later taken by Apollo.[13]

According to Strabo and other traditions, the birthplace of Asclepius was Tricca (modern Trikala city in Thessaly).[8][14]

### Education and adventures

Zeus-like facial features of Asclepius (Melos)

Apollo named the rescued baby "Asclepius" and reared him for a while, and taught him many things about medicine.[15] However, like his half-brother, Aristaeus, Asclepius had his formal education under the centaur Chiron who instructed him in the art of medicine.[16]

It is said that in return for some kindness rendered by Asclepius, a snake licked Asclepius's ears clean and taught him secret knowledge (to the Greeks, snakes were sacred beings of wisdom, healing, and resurrection). Asclepius bore a rod wreathed with a snake, which became associated with healing. Another version states that when Asclepius (or in another myth Polyidus) was commanded to restore the life of Glaucus, he was confined in a secret prison. While pondering what he should do, a snake crept near his staff. Lost in his thoughts, Asclepius unknowingly killed it by hitting it again and again with his staff. Later, another snake came there with an herb in its mouth and placed it on the head of a dead snake, which soon came back to life. Seeing this, Asclepius used the same herb, which brought Glaucus back.[17] A species of non-venomous pan-Mediterranean serpent, the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) is named for the god.

The 12th c. John Tzetzes says that Asclepius was originally called Hepius but received his popular name of Asclepius after he cured Ascles, ruler of Epidaurus who suffered an incurable ailment in his eyes.[18]

Asclepius was listed among those who took part in the Calydonian Boar hunt[19] as well as among the Argonauts.[20]

Roman coin from Odessos showing Asclepius with Hygieia on one side and Gordian III's portrait on the other side (35mm, 28g)

### Marriage and family

Asclepius was married to Epione, with whom he had five daughters: Iaso, Panacea, Hygieia, Aceso, and Aegle,[21] and three sons: Machaon, Podaleirios and Telesphoros. He also sired a son, Aratus, with Aristodeme.[22]

### Death and immortality

Asclepius once started bringing back to life the dead people like Tyndareus, Capaneus, Glaucus, Hymenaeus, Lycurgus and others.[23] Others say he brought Hippolytus back from the dead on Artemis's request, and accepted gold for it,[24] or maybe he did it for love.[25] It is the only mention of Asclepius resurrecting the dead.[clarification needed] In all other accounts he is said to use his skills simply as a physician.

However, Hades accused Asclepius of stealing his subjects and complained to his brother Zeus about it.[26] According to others, Zeus was afraid that Asclepius would teach the art of resurrection to other humans as well.[27] Concerning the fate of Asclepius, Ovid writes that "the youth [Asclepius] blasted by ancestral bolts [of Zeus] soars from earth [rising as the constellation Ophiuchus] and flings his hands coiled with double snakes."[28] Later accounts read "The Serpent-Holder. Many astronomers have imagined that he is Aesculapius [Asclepius], whom Jupiter [Zeus], for the sake of Apollo, put among the stars."[29] Asclepius was killed by Zeus, and by Apollo's request, was subsequently immortalized as a star.[30][31][32]

## Sacred places and practices

Asclepius (center) arrives in Kos and is greeted by Hippocrates (left) and a citizen (right), mosaic, 2nd–3rd century AD

The most ancient and the most prominent asclepeion (or healing temple) according to the geographer of the 1st century BC, Strabo, was situated in Trikala.[33] The 1st century AD Pool of Bethesda, described in the Gospel of John, chapter 5, was found by archaeologists in 1964 to be part of an asclepeion.[34][35] One of the most famous temples of Asclepius was at Epidaurus in north-eastern Peloponnese, dated to the fourth century BC.[36] Another famous asclepeion was built approximately a century later on the island of Kos,[36] where Hippocrates, the legendary "father of medicine", may have begun his career. Other asclepieia were situated in Gortys (in Arcadia), and Pergamum in Asia.

Votive relief of Asclepius, Epione and Hygieia. Mid-4th cent. BC, Acropolis Museum, Athens.

From the fifth century BC onwards,[37] the cult of Asclepius grew very popular and pilgrims flocked to his healing temples (Asclepieia) to be cured of their ills. Ritual purification would be followed by offerings or sacrifices to the god (according to means), and the supplicant would then spend the night in the holiest part of the sanctuary—the abaton (or adyton). Any dreams or visions would be reported to a priest who would prescribe the appropriate therapy by a process of interpretation.[38] Some healing temples also used sacred dogs to lick the wounds of sick petitioners.[39] 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. These snakes were introduced at the founding of each new temple of Asclepius throughout the classical world.

The original Hippocratic Oath began with the invocation "I swear by Apollo the Physician and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea and by all the gods ...".[39]

Epidauria (τὰ Ἐπιδαύρια) was a festival at Athens in honour of Asclepius.[40]

File:Edward John Poynter (1836-1919) - A Visit to Aesculapius - N01586 - National Gallery.jpgA Visit to Aesculapius by Edward Poynter, 1880

Some later religious movements claimed links to Asclepius. In the 2nd century AD the controversial miracle-worker Alexander claimed that his god Glycon, a snake with a "head of linen"[41] was an incarnation of Asclepius. The Greek language rhetorician and satirist Lucian produced the work Alexander the False Prophet to denounce the swindler for future generations. He described Alexander as having a character "made up of lying, trickery, perjury, and malice; [it was] facile, audacious, venturesome, diligent in the execution of its schemes, plausible, convincing, masking as good, and wearing an appearance absolutely opposite to its purpose."[41] In Rome, the College of Aesculapius and Hygia was an association (collegium) that served as a burial society and dining club that also participated in the Imperial cult.

The botanical genus Asclepias (commonly known as milkweed) is named after him and includes the medicinal plant A. tuberosa or "Pleurisy root".

Asclepius was depicted on the reverse of the Greek 10,000 drachmas banknote of 1995–2001.[42]

At the city of Miletus, archaeologists discovered a cave under the city's theatre which was associated with Asclepius cult.[43][44]

At Hyperteleatum, Hypsi and Hyettus there were temples of Asclepius.[45][46][47]

## See also

* Rod of Asclepius
* Darrhon
* 1027 Aesculapia

## Notes

1. ↑ Pinch, Geraldine (2002-01-01) (in en). Handbook of Egyptian Mythology. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781576072424. https://books.google.com/books?id=N-mTqRTrimgC&q=asclepius%20imhotep&pg=PA149.
2. ↑ Greek etymology database (online source requires login and is located at iedo.brillonline.nl ). Originally: "Archived copy". http://www.indoeuropean.nl/cgi-bin/startq.cgi?flags=endnnnl&root=leiden&basename=\data\ie\greek. Also in: R.S.P. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009, p. 151.
3. ↑ R.S.P. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009, p. xxv.
4. ↑ "Asklepios". https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Asklepios.html#:~:text=ASKLEPIOS (Asclepius) was the god,) princess Koronis (Coronis)..
5. ↑ Mitchell-Boyask, p. 141
6. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece 4.36.5
7. ↑ Homeric Hymn to Asclepius (16), 1–4; Diodorus Siculus, 5.74.6
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "ASCLEPIUS (Asklepios) - Greek God of Medicine & Doctors". https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Asklepios.html.
9. ↑ Pindar, Pythian Odes 3.5
10. ↑ Isyllus, Hymn to Asclepius
11. ↑ Pausanias, 7.23.7
12. ↑ Ovid, Metamorphoses 2.620
13. ↑ Pausanias, 2.26.1–7
14. ↑ Cartwright, Mark (20 June 2013). "Asclepius". World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Asclepius/.
15. ↑ Diodorus Siculus, 5.64.6
16. ↑ Pindar, Pythian Ode 3.5 ff. (trans. Conway)
17. ↑ Hyginus, De astronomia 2.14
18. ↑ Tzetzes, Chiliades 10.49, p. 712–714
19. ↑ Apollodorus.
20. ↑ Hyginus, Fabulae 14
21. ↑ Greek Lyric V Anonymous, fr. 939 (Inscription from Erythrai) (trans. Campbell); Suida, s.v. Epione (trans. Suda On Line)
22. ↑ Homer, Iliad 2.730 ff.; 4.193, 217 ff. & 11.518 ff. (trans. Lattimore); Diodorus Siculus, 4.71.3 (trans. Oldfather); Pausanias, 2.29.1; Lycophron, 1047 ff. (trans. Mair); Suida, s.v. Epione (trans. Suda On Line)
23. ↑ Stesichorus, fr. 147 from Sextus Empricicus, Against the Professors)
24. ↑ Pindar, Pythian Ode 3; Plato, Republic 408b; Philodemus, On Piety (trans. Campbell, Vol.); Greek Lyric IV; Stesichorus, fr. 147 and Cinesias, fr. 774)
25. ↑ Clement of Alexandria, Clementina Homilia, V, 15.
26. ↑ Diodorus Siculus, 4.71.3
27. ↑ Apollodorus, 3.121
28. ↑ Ovid, Fasti 6, 735–762 (Translation by Boyle, A. J. & Woodard, R. D.)
29. ↑ Hyginus, Astronomica 2.14
30. ↑ Emma and Ludwig Edelstein, Asclepius: Collection and Interpretation of the Testimonies, Volume 1, Page 51
31. ↑ Sabine G. MacCormack Concise Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology p.47
32. ↑ Theony Condos, Star Myths of the Greeks and Romans, p.141
33. ↑ "Asclepeion of ancient Trikki | Municipality of Trikala". 14 June 2017. http://trikalacity.gr/en/building/asclepeion-ancient-trikki/.
34. ↑ An archaeological diagram of the layout – the diagram displayed at the location itself – is visible at this link .
35. ↑ Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, The Holy Land, (2008), page 29
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Edelstein, Ludwig and Emma Edelstein. Asclepius: a Collection and Interpretation of the Testimonies. Vol. 2. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1998. p. 243
37. ↑ Wickkiser, Bronwen. Asklepios, Medicine, and the Politics of Healing in Fifth-century Greece: Between Craft and Cult. Johns Hopkins Press, 2008. p. 106
38. ↑ Sigerist 1987, pp. 63ff
39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Farnell, Chapter 10, "The Cult of Asklepios" (pp. 234–279)
40. ↑ Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Epidauria
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Lucian, Alexander the False Prophet (trans A.M. Harmon) (Cambridge: Loeb Classical Library, 1936), Lucian, vol IV. Accessible online at http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/lucian/lucian_alexander.htm
42. ↑ Bank of Greece . Drachma Banknotes . 10,000 drachma note (pdf) – Retrieved 26 July 2010.
43. ↑ "Sacred Cave" in ancient Miletos awaits visitors
44. ↑ The Ancient City of Miletos's "Sacred Cave" Opened to Visitors
45. ↑ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), Hyperteleatum
46. ↑ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), Hypsi
47. ↑ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), Hyettus

## References

### Primary sources

* Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
* Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica translated by Robert Cooper Seaton (1853–1915), R. C. Loeb Classical Library Volume 001. London, William Heinemann Ltd, 1912. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
* Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica. George W. Mooney. London. Longmans, Green. 1912. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History translated by Charles Henry Oldfather. Twelve volumes. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd. 1989. Vol. 3. Books 4.59–8. Online version at Bill Thayer's Web Site
* Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica. Vol 1-2. Immanel Bekker. Ludwig Dindorf. Friedrich Vogel. in aedibus B. G. Teubneri. Leipzig. 1888–1890. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Gaius Julius Hyginus, Astronomica from The Myths of Hyginus translated and edited by Mary Grant. University of Kansas Publications in Humanistic Studies. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
* Homer, The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. ISBN 978-0674995796. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Homer, Homeri Opera in five volumes. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1920. ISBN 978-0198145318. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library
* The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Homeric Hymns. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
* Lycophron, The Alexandra translated by Alexander William Mair. Loeb Classical Library Volume 129. London: William Heinemann, 1921. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
* Lycophron, Alexandra translated by A.W. Mair. London: William Heinemann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 1921. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Marcus Tullius Cicero, Nature of the Gods from the Treatises of M.T. Cicero translated by Charles Duke Yonge (1812–1891), Bohn edition of 1878. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
* Marcus Tullius Cicero, De Natura Deorum. O. Plasberg. Leipzig. Teubner. 1917. Latin text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. ISBN 0-674-99328-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
* Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Pindar, Odes translated by Diane Arnson Svarlien. 1990. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Pindar, The Odes of Pindar including the Principal Fragments with an Introduction and an English Translation by Sir John Sandys, Litt.D., FBA. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1937. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Publius Ovidius Naso, Fasti translated by James G. Frazer. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
* Publius Ovidius Naso, Fasti. Sir James George Frazer. London; Cambridge, MA. William Heinemann Ltd.; Harvard University Press. 1933. Latin text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
* Tzetzes, John, Book of Histories, Book IX-X translated by Jonathan Alexander from the original Greek of T. Kiessling's edition of 1826. Online version at theoi.com

### Secondary sources

* Edelstein, Ludwig and Emma Edelstein. Asclepius: Collection and Interpretation of the Testimonies, Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins Press, 1945.
* von Ehrenheim, Hedvig. Greek Incubation Rituals in Classical and Hellenistic Times. Kernos. Supplément, 29. Liège: Presses Universitaires de Liège, 2015.
* Farnell, Lewis Richard. Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality, (Oxford Clarendon Press,1921).
* Grimal, Pierre, The Dictionary of Classical Mythology, Wiley-Blackwell, 1996, ISBN 978-0-631-20102-1. "Asclepius" pp. 62–63
* Hart, Gerald D. MD. Asclepius: The God of Medicine (Royal Society of Medicine Press, 2000)
* Kool, S. "The Soother of Evil Pains: Asclepius and Freud." Akroterion 60, 2015, pp. 13–32.
* LiDonnici, Lynn R. The Epidaurian Miracle Inscriptions: Text, Translation, and Commentary. Atlanta: Scholars, 1995.
* Mitchell-Boyask, Robin, Plague and the Athenian Imagination: Drama, History and the Cult of Asclepius, Cambridge University Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0-521-87345-1.
* Oberhelman, Steven M. (ed.), Dreams, Healing, and Medicine in Greece: From Antiquity to the Present. Farnham; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2013.
* Renberg, Gil H. "Public and Private Places of Worship in the Cult of Asclepius at Rome". Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome, 51/52, 2006, pp. 87–172.
* Riethmüller, Jürgen W. Asklepios : Heiligtümer und Kulte, Heidelberg, Verlag Archäologie und Geschichte, 2005, ISBN 3-935289-30-8
* Sigerist, Henry E. (1987). A History of Medicine Volume 2: Early Greek, Hindu, and Persian Medicine (1st ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-505079-0.
* Wickkiser, Bronwen. Asklepios, Medicine, and the Politics of Healing in Fifth-century Greece: Between Craft and Cult. JHU Press, 2008.

## External links

* Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (images of Aesculapius)

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* Philotes
* Sophrosyne
* Thanatos

|

Children of Eris|

* Algos
* Amphillogiai
* Ate
* The Androktasiai
* Dysnomia
* Horkos
* Hysminai
* Lethe
* Limos
* Machai
* Phonoi
* Ponos
* Neikea
* Pseudea
* Logoi

Children of other gods|

* Aergia
* Aidos
* Alala
* Aletheia
* Angelia
* Arete
* Astraea
* Caerus
* The Younger Charites
* Eucleia
* Eupheme
* Euthenia
* Philophrosyne
* Corus
* Deimos
* The Erotes
* Anteros
* Eros
* Hedylogos
* Hermaphroditus
* Hymen
* Ersa
* Eupraxia
* Hedone
* Homonoia
* Iacchus
* The Litae
* Homonoia
* Peitho
* Phobos
* Tyche

Others|

* Adephagia
* Alala
* Alke
* Amechania
* Anaideia
* Alastor
* Apheleia
* The Arae
* Dikaiosyne
* Dyssebeia
* Eiresione
* Ekecheiria
* Eulabeia
* Eusebeia
* Gelos
* Heimarmene
* Homados
* Horme
* Ioke
* Kakia
* Koalemos
* Kydoimos
* Lyssa
* The Maniae
* Methe
* Nomos
* Palioxis
* Peitharchia
* Penia
* Penthus
* Pepromene
* Pheme
* Phrike
* Phthonus
* Poine
* Polemos
* Poros
* Praxidike
* Proioxis
* Prophasis
* Soter
* Soteria
* Thrasos

Other deities|

| Sky deities|

* The Anemoi
* The Astra Planeti
* Stilbon
* Eosphorus
* Hesperus
* Pyroeis
* Phaethon
* Phaenon
* Aura
* Chione
* The Hesperides
* The Hyades
* Nephele
* The Pleiades
* Alcyone
* Sterope
* Celaeno
* Electra
* Maia
* Merope
* Taygete

|

Agricultural deities|

* Aphaea
* Demeter
* Despoina
* Eunostus
* Philomelus
* Plutus

Health deities|

* Asclepius
* Aceso
* Epione
* Iaso
* Hygieia
* Paean
* Panacea
* Telesphorus

Rustic deities|

* Aetna
* Agdistis
* The Alseids
* Amphictyonis
* The Anthousai
* Aristaeus
* Attis
* The Auloniads
* Britomartis
* The Cabeiri
* Comus
* The Dryades
* Erato
* The Hamadryades
* Chrysopeleia
* The Epimeliades
* Hecaterus
* Leuce
* Ma
* The Maenades
* The Meliae
* The Napaeae
* The Nymphai Hyperboreioi
* The Oreads
* Adrasteia
* Echo
* Helike
* Iynx
* Nomia
* Oenone
* Pitys
* The Pegasides
* Priapus
* Rhapso
* Silenus
* Telete

Others|

* Alexiares and Anicetus
* Aphroditus
* Enyalius
* Palaestra

* v
* t
* e

Ancient Greek religion and mythology

Classical religious forms|

* Ancient Greek religion
* Gnosticism
* Paleo-Balkan mythology
* Proto-Indo-European religion
* Hellenistic religion
* Alchemy
* Orphism
* Pythagoreanism
* Mycenaean deities

Mystery religions
and sacred mysteries|

* Delos Mysteries
* Dionysian Mysteries
* Eleusinian Mysteries
* Imbrian Mysteries
* Mithraism
* Samotracian Mysteries

Main beliefs|

* Apotheosis
* Euhemerism
* Eusebeia
* Greek Heroic Age
* Interpretatio graeca
* Monism
* Mythology
* Nympholepsy
* Paganism
* Paradoxography
* Polytheism
* Theism

Texts/epic poems/odes|

* Aretalogy
* Argonautica
* Bibliotheca
* Cyranides
* Derveni papyrus
* Ehoiai
* Greek Magical Papyri
* Homeric Hymns
* Iliad
* Odyssey
* Interpretation of Dreams (Antiphon)
* Oneirocritica
* Papyrus Graecus Holmiensis
* Sibylline Books
* Telegony
* The golden verses of Pythagoras
* Theogony
* Works and Days
* Epic Cycle
* Theban Cycle

Rites and practices|

* Amphictyonic League
* Amphidromia
* Animal sacrifice
* Apotheosis
* Baptes
* Curse tablet
* Daduchos
* Delphinion
* Funeral and burial practices
* Hymns
* Hero cult
* Heroon
* Hierophany
* Hierophant
* Hierophylakes
* Hieros gamos
* Hypsistarians
* Iatromantis
* Interpretatio graeca
* Kanephoros
* Kykeon
* Libations
* Mystagogue
* Nekyia
* Necromancy
* Necromanteion
* Nymphaeum
* Panegyris
* Pharmakos
* Prayers
* Orgia
* Sacrifices
* Temenos
* Thyia
* Temples
* Votive offerings

Sacred places|

| Oracles, sanctuaries,
Necromanteion|

* Aornum
* Delphi
* Didymaion
* Dodona
* Oracle of Menestheus
* Tegyra

|

Mountain|

* Cretea
* Mount Ida (Crete)
* Mount Ida (Turkey)
* Mount Lykaion
* Olympus

Caves|

* Cave of Zeus, Aydın
* Cave of Zeus, Crete
* Psychro Cave
* Vari Cave

Islands|

* Achilles island
* Delos

Others|

* Athenian sacred ships
* Eleusis
* Hiera Orgas
* Kanathos
* Olympia
* Sacred Way

Mythical beings|

* Dragons in Greek mythology
* Greek mythological creatures
* Greek mythological figures
* List of minor Greek mythological figures

Deities|

| Primordial deities|

* Aether
* Aion
* Ananke
* Chaos
* Chronos
* Erebus
* Eros
* Gaia
* Hemera
* Nyx
* Phanes
* Pontus
* Thalassa
* Tartarus
* Uranus

|

Titans|

| First generation|

* Coeus
* Crius
* Cronus
* Hyperion
* Iapetus
* Mnemosyne
* Oceanus
* Phoebe
* Rhea
* Tethys
* Theia
* Themis

|

Second generation|

* Asteria
* Astraeus
* Atlas
* Eos
* Epimetheus
* Helios
* Leto
* Menoetius
* Metis
* Pallas
* Perses
* Prometheus
* Selene

Third generation|

* Hecate
* Hesperus
* Phosphorus

Twelve Olympians|

* Aphrodite
* Apollo
* Ares
* Artemis
* Athena
* Demeter
* Dionysus
* Hephaestus
* Hera
* Hermes
* Hestia
* Poseidon
* Zeus

Aquatic deities|

* Amphitrite
* Alpheus
* Ceto
* Glaucus
* The Naiads
* The Nereids
* Nereus
* The Oceanids
* Phorcys
* Poseidon
* The Potamoi
* Potamides
* Proteus
* Scamander
* Thaumas
* Thetis
* Triton

Love deities|

| Erotes|

* Anteros
* Eros
* Hedylogos
* Hermaphroditus
* Himeros
* Hymen/Hymenaeus
* Pothos

|

* Aphrodite
* Aphroditus
* Philotes
* Peitho

War deities|

* Adrestia
* Alala
* Alke
* Amphillogiai
* Androktasiai
* Ares
* Athena
* Bia
* Deimos
* Enyalius
* Enyo
* Eris
* Gynaecothoenas
* Homados
* Hysminai
* Ioke
* Keres
* Kratos
* Kydoimos
* Ma
* Machai
* Nike
* Palioxis
* Pallas
* Perses
* Phobos
* Phonoi
* Polemos
* Proioxis

Chthonic deities|

| Psychopomps|

* Hermanubis
* Hermes
* Thanatos

|

* Achlys
* Angelos
* Hades / Pluto
* Hecate
* Hypnos
* Keres
* Lampad
* Macaria
* Melinoë
* Persephone

Health deities|

* Aceso
* Aegle
* Artemis
* Apollo
* Asclepius
* Chiron
* Eileithyia
* Epione
* Hebe
* Hygieia
* Iaso
* Paean
* Panacea
* Telesphorus

Sleep deities|

* Empusa
* Epiales
* Hypnos
* Pasithea
* Oneiroi

Messenger deities|

* Angelia
* Arke
* Hermes
* Iris

Trickster deities|

* Apate
* Dolos
* Hermes
* Momus

Magic deities|

* Circe
* Hecate
* Hermes Trismegistus

Other major deities|

* Azone
* Eileithyia
* The Erinyes
* Harmonia
* The Muses
* Nemesis
* Pan
* Unknown God
* Zelus

Heroes/heroines|

* Abderus
* Achilles
* Actaeon
* Aeneas
* Argonauts
* Ajax the Great
* Ajax the Lesser
* Akademos
* Amphiaraus
* Amphitryon
* Antilochus
* Atalanta
* Autolycus
* Bellerophon
* Bouzyges
* Cadmus
* Chrysippus
* Cyamites
* Daedalus
* Diomedes
* Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux)
* Echetlus
* Eleusis
* Erechtheus
* Eunostus
* Ganymede
* Hector
* Heracles
* Icarus
* Iolaus
* Jason
* Meleager
* Odysseus
* Oedipus
* Orpheus
* Pandion
* Peleus
* Pelops
* Penthesilea
* Perseus
* Theseus
* Triptolemus

Mythical tribes|

* Amazons
* Anthropophage
* Atlantians
* Bebryces
* Curetes
* Dactyls
* Gargareans
* Halizones
* Korybantes
* Lapiths
* Lotus-eaters
* Myrmidons
* Pygmies
* Telchines

Oracles/seers|

* Aesacus
* Aleuas
* Amphiaraus
* Amphilochus
* Ampyx
* Anius
* Asbolus
* Bakis
* Branchus
* Calchas
* Carnus
* Carya
* Cassandra
* Delphic Sibyl
* Elatus
* Ennomus
* Epimenides
* Halitherses
* Helenus
* Iamus
* Idmon
* Manto
* Melampus
* Mopsus
* Munichus
* Phineus
* Polyeidos
* Polypheides
* Pythia
* Sibyl
* Telemus
* Theiodamas
* Theoclymenus
* Tiresias

Magic|

* Apotropaic magic
* Greek Magical Papyri
* Pella curse tablet
* Philia

Mythical realms|

* Aethiopia
* Atlantis
* Erytheia
* Hyperborea
* Libya
* Nysa
* Ogygia
* Panchaia
* Scheria
* Scythia
* Themiscyra

Underworld|

| Entrances to
the underworld|

| Rivers|

* Acheron
* Cocytus
* Eridanos
* Lethe
* Phlegethon
* Styx

|

Lakes/swamps|

* Acherusia
* Avernus Lake
* Lerna Lake

Caves|

| Charoniums|

* Charonium at Aornum
* Charonium at Acharaca

|

* Cave at Cape Matapan
* Cave at Lake Avernus
* Cave at Heraclea Pontica

Ploutonion|

* Ploutonion at Acharaca
* Ploutonion at Eleusis
* Ploutonion at Hierapolis

Places|

* Elysium
* Erebus
* Fields of Asphodel
* Fields of Punishment
* Isles of the Blessed
* Tartarus

Judges|

* Aeacus
* Minos
* Rhadamanthus

Guards|

* Cerberus

Ferryman|

* Charon
* Charon's obol

Symbols/objects|

* Bident
* Cap of invisibility

Animals, daemons
and spirits|

* Ascalaphus
* Ceuthonymus
* Eurynomos
* Hade's cattle

Mythological wars|

* Amazonomachy
* Attic War
* Centauromachy
* Gigantomachy
* Cranes-Pygmies war
* Theomachy
* Titanomachy
* Trojan War

Mythological and
religious objects|

* Adamant
* Aegis
* Ambrosia
* Apple of Discord
* Ara
* Baetylus
* Caduceus
* Cornucopia
* Dragon's teeth
* Diipetes
* Galatea
* Golden apple
* Golden Fleece
* Gorgoneion
* Greek terracotta figurines
* Harpe
* Ichor
* Lotus tree
* Minoan sealstone
* Moly
* Necklace of Harmonia
* Omphalos
* Orichalcum
* Palladium
* Panacea
* Pandora's box
* Petasos (Winged helmet)
* Philosopher's stone
* Ring of Gyges
* Rod of Asclepius
* Sacrificial tripod
* Sceptre
* Shield of Achilles
* Shirt of Nessus
* Sword of Damocles
* Talaria
* Thunderbolt
* Thymiaterion
* Thyrsus
* Trident
* Trojan Horse
* Winnowing Oar
* Wheel of Fortune
* Wheel of fire
* Xoanon

Symbols|

* Arkalochori Axe
* Labrys
* Ouroboros
* Owl of Athena

Mythological powers|

* Divination
* Eidolon
* Eternal youth
* Evocation
* Fortune-telling
* Immortality
* Language of the birds
* Nympholepsy
* Magic
* Ornithomancy
* Shamanism
* Shapeshifting
* Weather modification

Storage containers,
cups, vases|

* Amphora
* Calathus
* Chalice
* Ciborium
* Cotyla
* Hydria
* Hydriske
* Kalpis
* Kantharos
* Kernos
* Kylix
* Lebes
* Lekythos
* Loutrophoros
* Oenochoe
* Pelike
* Pithos
* Skyphos
* Stamnos
* Urn

Musical Instruments|

* Aulos
* Barbiton
* Chelys
* Cithara
* Cochilia
* Crotalum (Castanets)
* Epigonion
* Kollops
* Lyre
* Pan flute
* Pandura
* Phorminx
* Psaltery
* Salpinx
* Sistrum
* Tambourine
* Trigonon
* Tympanum
* Water organ

Games|

| Panhellenic Games|

* Olympic Games
* Pythian Games
* Nemean Games
* Isthmian Games

|

* Agon
* Panathenaic Games
* Rhieia

Festivals/feasts|

* Actia
* Adonia
* Agrionia
* Amphidromia
* Anthesteria
* Apellai
* Apaturia
* Aphrodisia
* Arrhephoria
* Ascolia
* Bendidia
* Boedromia
* Brauronia
* Buphonia
* Chalceia
* Diasia
* Delphinia
* Dionysia
* Ecdysia
* Elaphebolia
* Gamelia
* Haloa
* Heracleia
* Hermaea
* Hieromenia
* Iolaia
* Kronia
* Lenaia
* Lykaia
* Metageitnia
* Munichia
* Oschophoria
* Pamboeotia
* Pandia
* Plynteria
* Pyanopsia
* Skira
* Synoikia
* Soteria
* Tauropolia
* Thargelia
* Theseia
* Thesmophoria

Vessels|

* Argo
* Phaeacian ships

Modern offshoot religions|

* Discordianism
* Gaianism
* Feraferia
* Hellenism

Modern popular culture|

* Greek mythology in popular culture

Portals
Access related topics|

* Ancient Greece portal
* Myths portal

|

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Find out more on Wikipedia's
Sister projects|

* Media
from Commons
* Definitions
from Wiktionary

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