Asclepius is the ancient Greek god and hero of medicine, healing, and rejuvenation, son of Apollo, renowned for his snake-entwined staff (the Rod of Asclepius), a universal symbol of medicine. Taught by the centaur Chiron, he became so skilled he could revive the dead, angering Zeus, who struck him down, but he was later immortalized. His cult centers, called Asklepieions, served as ancient healing temples where people sought cures through dream incubation and priestly guidance, leaving a lasting legacy in medicine and ethics.