Greek Personification

Hygieia

By Avi KapachLast updated on Oct 4, 2023
Marble head of a goddess

Marble head of an unidentified, Greek; the goddesses Persephone and Hygieia were often represented with this hairstyle (fourth century BCE)

The Metropolitan Museum of ArtPublic Domain

Overview

Hygieia was a healing goddess and the personification of health. She was one of the daughters of Asclepius and Epione and thus the sister of Aceso, Iaso, and Panacea (though Orphic sources sometimes made her the wife of Asclepius rather than his daughter).

In cult, Hygieia was usually worshipped alongside Asclepius, though in some sites she was worshipped on her own, especially in her sanctuary at Titane, near Sicyon. She was sometimes also connected with other gods, including Athena and Apollo.[1]