According to Greek mythology, Asclepius was the son of the Greek god Apollo and his mortal wife, Coronis. Asclepius is the god of the healing aspect of the medical arts and it was said that he had several sanctuaries, or healing centers, throughout Greece. Early versions of the Hippocratic Oath began in honor to Asclepius, “I swear by Apollo the Physician, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture.”