The most famous cult centre of Asklepios, or Asclepius, was in Epidauros in south eastern Greece. In the fourth century BCE, a new temple was built there; this relief is one of the sculptures found on the site.

Asklepios was born a mortal but was raised to divine status. He was worshipped as a bringer of health and regarded as benign and caring, in contrast to the other more vengeful gods. Pilgrims flocked to his temples, hoping to be cured of their illnesses