Mark Beumer:
A Woman’s Touch. Hygieia, Health and Incubation

Abstract

In this paper, I argue that Hygieia has to be viewed as a full goddess in Greek religion and medicine, with a special focus on her position within the Asklepios cult. I will examine her identity, to which scholars attribute several labels like goddess, abstraction and personification. I further argue that Hygieia’s role in performing incubation rituals gradually became as important as that of her mythological father Asklepios, by examining her representation and the meaning of the ancient concept of health (ὑγίεια).

Language: english

Keywords: Hygieia; goddess; personification; ancient medicine; incubation ritual.