SALUTARY GODS (Salutares di). — These are the deities who safeguard physical health. They belong directly or APOLLO (v.), the solar god whose rays bring both sickness and epidemics as well as healing and health, whence his epithets *ἀλεξικάκος* and *ἀλλοτάκος* (averting evil); *ἀπόμυρος* (repulsive); *παιάν* (healer).
His son, who is an hypostasis of his healing power, is ASCLEPIUS, god of medicine, particularly connected with the underworld, as is demonstrated by his constant attribute of the serpent, a chthonic animal, and by the rite of incubation practiced in his sanctuaries. To his sphere belong ALEXANUS and the savior ARATUS (the desired one); there is HIPPONE (his midwife, he who heals); EUCERIUS (the augur of good days); ACESIUS (the helpful one); HYGIEIA (health); ELEUTHERIUS (who brings to a good end), the last of whom had a special prominence in the Asclepieum of Pergamum and, during the early centuries of the Empire, radiated westward to Epidaurus in the Argolid, Athens, Naupactus, and Sicyon. Telesphorus is represented as a child (protector of youthful health) entirely wrapped in a hooded cloak (*bardocucullus*, *penula*).
In Greece, heroes too perform the function of salutary gods insofar as they are prophets and protectors not only of the city that honors them but also of the good health of those who appeal to them. The two physicians MACHAON (tomb and sanctuary at Gerenia in Laconia) and PODALIRIUS (sanctuary in Apulia near Mount Garganus), IATRUS (in Athens near the Thesmophorion), and ARISTOMACHUS (at Marathon) are all heroes who exercised the power of salutary gods.