Asclepius (Aesculapius in Latin) is called the Greek god of medicine and healing. Asclepius was the son of Apollo and the mortal Coronis. Before Coronis could give birth, she died and was snatched from her corpse by Apollo. The centaur Chiron raised Asclepius. After Zeus killed Asclepius for bringing the dead back to life, he made him a god.
Asclepius carries a staff with a snake encircling it, which now symbolizes the medical profession. The cock was Asclepius' bird. The daughters of Asclepius are also associated with the healing profession. They are: Aceso, Iaso, Panacea, Aglaea, and Hygieia.
A cult center for Asclepius is called an Asclepieion. The priests of Asclepius attempted to cure people who came to their centers.
Source: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/asclepius.html © MCMXCV - MMVI Encyclopedia Mythica™
