. Grecian and Roman mythology . 282 GRECIAN AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY. Machaon and Podaleirios, were heroes and leaders in the Trojan war,and, at the same time, renowned for their skill in medical art. The snake, as an emblem of recovery and health,was sacred to Asclepios, probably because of its re-newing itself, as it were, by casting its skin. Hencethe god of medicine always carries a staff, aroundwhich is twined a snake. The figure of a little boyis sometimes found with that of Asclepios, wearinga bonnet on his head, and entirely muffled in a name is Telesphoros ; and his infant form,
. Grecian and Roman mythology . 282 GRECIAN AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY. Machaon and Podaleirios, were heroes and leaders in the Trojan war,and, at the same time, renowned for their skill in medical art. The snake, as an emblem of recovery and health,was sacred to Asclepios, probably because of its re-newing itself, as it were, by casting its skin. Hencethe god of medicine always carries a staff, aroundwhich is twined a snake. The figure of a little boyis sometimes found with that of Asclepios, wearinga bonnet on his head, and entirely muffled in a name is Telesphoros ; and his infant form, to-gether with his usual covering, seems to allude, in acertain manner, to his convalescence, as well as themysterious art of his master. Of his four daughters, Hygeia, iEgle, Panacea,and Iaso, Hygeia was the most celebrated. To her,. uT divine honors were paid ; and her occupation, like that of her father, was the preservation of health. This benefit she distributes among mortals as a mild gift, whenever she descends from the higher regions to earth. She is represented with a snake eating out of a flat cup which she holds in her hand. The temples of Asclepios were regarded as sanctuaries which noneof the profane could approach without repeated purifications; and thestatue of Hygeia at iEgrium, in Achaia, could only be viewed by thepriests. The temple at Tithorea was surrounded by a hedge in thevicinity of which no edifice could be erected. This hedge was fortystadia from the building itself The worship rendered to Asclepios had for its object the diversionof the sick, by the ceremonies of which they were the witnesses. COMUS. Comus, the god of gay humor and merry jests, the genius of lifescheerful enjoyment, was considered by the ancients as worthy of a placeamong divine beings. He presided at banquets, and in gen
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectmytholo, bookyear1876
