IASO

IASO was the goddess of cures, remedies and modes of healing. She was a daughter and attendant of the medicine-god Asklepios. Her sisters included Panakeia (Panacea) (Cure-All) and Hygeia (Good Health).

FAMILY OF IASO

PARENTS

[1.1] ASKLEPIOS & EPIONE (Greek Lyric V Anonymous Frag 939 Erythae Inscription, Suidas s.v. Epione)
[1.2] ASKLEPIOS (Aristophanes Plutus 701)

ENCYCLOPEDIA

IASO (Iasô), i. e. Recovery, a daughter of Asclepius or Amphiaraus, and sister of Hygieia, was worshipped as the goddess of recovery; and in the temple of Amphiaraus at Oropus a part of the altar was dedicated to her, in common with Aphrodite, Panaceia, Hygieia, and Athena Paeonia. (Paus. i. 34. § 2; Aristoph. Plut. 701, with the Schol.; Hesych. s. v.)

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Greek Lyric V Anonymous, Fragment 939 (Inscription from Erythrai) (trans. Campbell) (Greek lyric B.C.) :
"Asklepios (Asclepius), the most famous god--ie Paian! By him were fathered Makhaon (Machaon) and Podaleirios and Iaso (Healer)--ie Paian!--and fair-eyed Aigle (Radiance) and Panakea (Cure-all), children of Epione, along with Hygieia (Health), all-glorious, undefiled."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 34. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[In the temple of Amphiaraus in Oropos (Oropus) in Attika (Attica) :] The altar shows parts . . . The fourth portion of the altar is to Aphrodite and Panakeia (Panacea), and further to Iaso, Hygeia and Athena Paionia (Healer)."

Aristophanes, Plutus 701 (trans. O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) :
"[Comedy-play in which two Athenians take the blind god Ploutos (Plutus) to the temple of Asklepios (Asclepius) to be healed. The god appears accompanied by his daughters Iaso and Panakeia (Panacea).]
Wife : And did not the god [Asklepios] come?
Kario (Cario) : He did not tarry; and when he was near us, oh! dear! such a good joke happened. My belly was quite blown up, and I let a thunderous fart!
Wife : Doubtless the god pulled a wry face?
Kario : No, but [his daughters] Iaso blushed a little and Panakeia (Panacea) turned her head away, holding her nose; my farts are not perfume.
Wife : And what did the god do? . . .
Kario : Asklepios did the round of the patients and examined them all with great attention."

Suidas s.v. Epione (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Epione : wife of Asklepios (Asclepius), and daughters named Hygeia, Aigle (Aegle), Iaso, Akeso (Aceso), Panakeia (Panacea)."

ANCIENT GREEK ART

K25.1 Iaso Holding Mirror

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K32.4 Asteria, Iaso, Hippodame

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

SOURCES

GREEK

• Greek Lyric V Anonymous, Fragments - Greek Lyric B.C.
• Aristophanes, Plutus - Greek Comedy C5th - 4th B.C.
• Pausanias, Description of Greece - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.

BYZANTINE

• Suidas, The Suda - Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.