Greek Mythology >> Greek Gods Cult >> Hygeia Cult

HYGEIA CULT

Greek Name

Ὑγεια

Transliteration

Hygeia

Latin Spelling

Hygeia

Roman Name

Salus

Hygeia | Greco-Roman marble statue C1st A.D. | State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg — Hygeia, Greco-Roman marble statue C1st A.D., State Hermitage Museum

HYGEIA was the goddess of good health.

She was worshipped as an associate deity of her father, the medicine-god Asklepios.

In sculpture Hygeia was depicted as a woman either holding a serpent or feeding a serpent from a bowl.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

CULT IN ATTICA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. ATHENS (ATHENAI) Main City of Attica (Attika)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 23. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[On the Akropolis, Athens] are figures of gods; of Hygeia (Health), whom legend calls daughter of Asklepios, and of Athena, also surnamed Hygeia."

II. OROPUS (OROPOS) Village in Attica

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 34. 3 :
"[The temple of Amphiaraus in Oropos, Attika] The altar shows parts . . . The fourth portion of the altar is to Aphrodite and Panakeia (All-Curing), and further to Iaso (Healer), Hygeia (Health) and Athena Paionia (Healer)."

CULT IN MEGARIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. MEGARA Main Town of Megaris

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 40. 6 :
"When you have ascended the citadel [at Megara] . . . you see . . . The image of Asklepios and also that of Hygeia were made by Bryaxis."

CULT IN CORINTHIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. CORINTH (KORINTHOS) Main City of Corinthia (Korinthia)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 4. 5 :
"By this gymnasium [in Korinthos] are temples of Zeus and Asklepios. The images of Asklepios and Hygeia are of white marble."

CULT IN SICYONIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. TITANE Village in Sicyonia (Sikyonia)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 11. 6 :
"[In the santuary of Asklepios at Titane, Sikyonia :] Of the image [of Alexanor, granson of Akslepios] can be seen only the face, hands, and feet, for it has about it a tunic of white wool and a cloak. There is a similar image of Hygeia (Health); this, too, one cannot see easily because it is so surrounded with the locks of women, who cut them off and offer them to the goddess, and with strips of Babylonian raiment. With whichever of these a votary here is willing to propitiate heaven, the same instructions have been given to him, to worship this image which they are pleased to call Hygeia."

CULT IN ARGOLIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)

Hygeia | Greco-Roman marble statue | Palazzo Corsini, Rome — Hygeia, Greco-Roman marble statue, Palazzo Corsini, Rome

I. ARGOS Main City of Argolis

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 23. 4 :
"The most famous sanctuary of Asklepios at Argos contains at the present day a white-marble image of the god seated, and by his side stands Hygeia."

II. EPIDAURUS (EPIDAUROS) Town in Argolis

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 27. 6 :
"[In the sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros, Argolis there is] a temple to Hygeia, Asklepios, and Apollon, the last two surnamed Aigyptios (Egyptian)."

CULT IN ELIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. OLYMPIA Village & Sanctuary in Elis

Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 20. 2 - 3 :
"[Depicted on table made by Kolotes at Olympia, Elis :] On one side are Asklepios and Hygeia (Health), one of his daughters."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 26. 2- 3 :
"Along the left side of the great temple [at Olympia, Elis] Mikythos dedicated other offerings: [statues of] . . . deities, Asklepios and Hygeia."

CULT IN ACHAEA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. AEGIUM (AIGION) Town in Achaea (Akhaia)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 7. 23. 7 :
"[There is at Aigion, Akhaia] precinct of Asklepios, with images of him and Hygeia."

CULT IN ARCADIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

I. MEGALOPOLIS Main City of Arcadia (Arkadia)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 31. 1 :
"[At Megalopolis, Arkadia] is an enclosure sacred to the Great Goddesses (Megalai Theai) . . . Carved in relief before the entrance are, on one side Artemis, on the other Asklepios and Hygiea."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 32. 4 :
"[At Megalopolis, Arkadia] there is a sanctuary of Asklepios, with images of the god and of Hygeia."

II. GORTYS Village in Arcadia

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 28. 1 :
"Here [Gortys, Arkadia] is a temple of Asklepios, made of Pentelic marble, with the god, as a beardless youth, and an image of Hygeia. Skopas was the artist."

III. TEGEA Town in Arcadia

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 46. 1 :
"On one side of the image of Athene [at Tegea, Arkadia] stands Asklepios, on the other Hygeia, works of Skopas of Paros in Petelic marble."

CULT IN BOEOTIA (CENTRAL GREECE)

I. THESPIAE (THESPIAI) Town in Boeotia (Boiotia)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 26. 8 :
"[At Thespia, Boiotia there is an] image of Tykhe, and in another place that of Hygeia."