Greek
Aegis
Aegis (Αἰγίς)
Shaken, it raises storms and sends enemy armies fleeing in terror.
ArmorFirst recorded c. 750 BCE
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Photograph: A marble head of Asclepius from the third to second century BCE, Roman. Blue glass eyes are set in a face framed by curly hair and beard.
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1,680 × 1,680 PX1680×1680
ArchiveGreek · Treasure
Rod of Asclepius
Rod of Asclepius
A staff wound with a serpent, symbolizing healing skill that could revive even the dead.
- Owner
- Asclepius, god of medicine
- Maker
- Unknown
- First record
- Pindar, Pythian Ode 3c. 474 BCE
- Gallery
- Greek
Notes on the photograph 3
Story
Asclepius, son of Apollo, learned medicine from the centaur Chiron. His skill was so great that he brought the dead back to life, and Zeus, fearing the order of the underworld would be overturned, struck him down with a thunderbolt.
He is portrayed leaning on a staff wound with a single serpent. The serpent, which sheds its skin, stood for rebirth and healing. At temples of Asclepius throughout Greece, such as Epidaurus, patients slept hoping for the god's cure in dreams, and harmless snakes were kept there.
This staff with one serpent is still used as a symbol of medicine, including on the flag of the World Health Organization.
The object in the photo
The photograph shows Head of a marble statuette of Asklepios(Roman, 3rd–2nd century BCE), a real museum object that evokes the legendary artifact.
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