Color enhanced illustration of Aesculapius. Asclepius (Aesculapius) is the God of Medicine and Healing in ancient Greek religion. Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts. The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, remains a symbol of medicine today (not to be confused with the caduceus, or staff with two snakes). Some historians have proposed that there may have been a historical Asclepius during the Greek Dark Ages, who became the subject of a Hero cult and on whom the mythological character was based. Aesculapius standing, one hand on cane entwined with serpent, other hand at hip.