Salus
In Greek mythology, Hygieia (Roman equivalent: Salus) was a daughter of Asclepius. She was the goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation (and later: the moon), and played an important part in her father's cult (see also: asklepieion).
Though Hygieia had been the subject of a local cult since at least the seventh century BCE, she did not begin to spread out until the Oracle at Delphi recognized her, and after the devastating Athens plague in 429 and 427 BCE and in Rome in 293 BCE. Her primary temples were in Epidaurus, Corinth, Cos and Pergamon.
Pausanias remarked that, at the asclepieion of Titane in Sikyonia (founded by Alexanor, Asclepius' grandson), statues of Hygieia were covered by women's hair and pieces of Babylonian clothes. According to inscriptions, the same sacrifices were offered at Paros.
Ariphron, a Sikyonian artist from the fourth century BCE wrote a well-known hymn celebrating her. Statues of Hygieia were creaed by Skopas, Bryaxis and Timotheos, amng others.
She was often depicted as a young woman feeding a large snake that was wrapped around her body.
Hygeieia was accompanied by her brother, Telesforos.
Her name is the source of the word "hygiene".
Pindar, Odes 7, 70-71; Homer, Iliad IV,194, II, 731
Salus
In Roman mythology, Salus was worshipped extensively by the Romans. Under the name Salus Publica Populi Romani ("goddess of the public welfare of the Roman people"), there was a temple devoted to her on the Quirinal Hill. It was built in 302 BC (Livy X, 1, 9)
Salus was depicted with snakes and a bowl in many artistic representations of her.
Her festival took place on March 30.
Referenced By
Aesculapius | Asclepius | Asklepios | Hygeia | Hygieia | Iaso | Panacea | Roman/Greek/Etruscan equivalency in mythology | Roman/Greek equivalency in mythology | Roman festivals | Salus | Salus Publica Populi Romani | Similarities between Roman, Greek, and Etruscan mythologies | Telesforos | Telesphoros | Veiovis
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