Asklepios: Ancient Hero of Medical Caring

15 January 1996 | Volume 124 Issue 2 | Pages 257-263

Western culture's demands of integrity, sacrifice, and compassion from its physician healers have roots in the mythic traditions of ancient Greece.By understanding these traditions, modern physicians can better understand their patients' expectations and the high expectations physicians often have for themselves. The mythic Figure Asklepio swas the focus of Greek and Roman medical tradition from approximately 1500 BC to 500 AD. As a physician-hero, Asklepios exemplified the ideal physician and the pitfalls he or she may face. With the progressive deification of Asklepios and the spread of his worship first in Greece and then in the Roman empire, Asklepios became generally recognized as the god of healing and served as an object of supplication, particularly for the poor and disregarded. Asklepian traditions for medical service provide historical insight into the role of modern physicians and their obligations to care for the underserved.

Author and Article Information

From the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. For the current author address, see end of text.
Requests for Reprints: James E. Bailey, MD, MPH, The University of Tennessee, Memphis, Department of Medicine, 842 Jefferson Avenue, Room A607, Memphis, TN 38103.