Epione

For the moth genus, see Epione (moth).

In Greek mythology, Epione (Ancient Greek: Ἠπιόνη, romanized: Ēpiónē, lit. 'soothing') is a minor health goddess, the wife of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine.^[1]

Asclepius and Epione with one of their sons on a 4th-century BC marble votive relief, Archaeological Museum of Patras, Greece.

Mythology

Her name is derived from the word ἤπιος (epios, "soothing"). Epione was the personification of the soothing of pain and the care needed for recovery.^[1] With Asclepius, she was the mother of the five Asclepiades: Iaso, Panacea, Hygieia, Aceso, and Aegle, as listed in the Suda.^[2] She also had two sons, Machaon and Podalirius, who are mentioned in the Iliad of Homer^[3] as well as Telesphoros.^[4]

Epigraphical evidence suggests that Epione was a cultic figure in Athens, Epidauros, Kos, and Pergamon.^[1] Asclepius and Epione both had marble statues in Argolis, where Asclepius was widely worshipped.

See also

• List of Greek deities