Ancient Prayers to Asklepios

Homeric Hymn to Asklepios

I begin to sing of Asklepios, healer of diseases
and son of Apollon. Noble Koronis, daughter of
King Phlegyas bore him on the plain of Dtion,
to be a great joy for men and charm evil pains away.
And so hail to you, O lord! I pray to you in my song.

From The Homeric Hymns: Translation, Introduction, and Notes by Apostolos N. Athanassakis. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1976.

Orphic Hymn to Asklepios

Asklepios, lord Paian, healer of all,
you charm away the suffering of men in pain.
Come, mighty and soothing, bring health,
and put an end to sickness and the harsh fate of death.
Helper, blessed spirit of growth and blossoming, you ward evil off,
honored and mighty scion of Phiobos Apollon.
Enemy of disease, whose blameless consort is Hygieia,
come, O blessed one, as savior and bring life to a good end.

From The Orphic Hymns: Text, Translation and Notes by Apostolos N. Athanassakis. Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press for the Society of Biblical Literature, 1977.

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