Hygeia

Hygeia

Goddess of Health

Many scholars argue that the most important healing sanctuary in Athens belongs to Athena Hygieia, until Asklepios makes his appearance.  

In mythology, Hygieia is the daughter, sister, or wife of Asklepios.

It is argued that the Homeric gods were no longer sufficient and that they were unable to satisfy the population, so new deities have to appear.

The development of the cult of Hygieia can be placed in the idea that the 5th century B.C. was a century of religious innovation, where old gods got new epithets, small cults became more important, and “new” deities entered the Greek religion.

1615

by Rubens, Peter Paul

1577-1640