All Prayers

The complete list of the collection's prayers, hymns, vows and inscriptions — from the Homeric hymns of the seventh century BC to votive inscriptions from the Roman provinces. Every text carries the original in Greek or Latin, a translation, an exact reference to the edition, and a commentary.

1. 001

   Second Hymn to Telesphorus

   ANONYMOUS (INSCRIPTION FROM ATHENS) · INSCRIPTIONES GRAECAE II³ 4, 939 · ll. 30-42

   Hail then to me, O healer, O greatly honoured one, play, Telesphoros, play, hail — and you with your

   Greek · ritual

   Telesphorus, Asclepius

   PraiseInvocation
   2nd-3rd c. AD

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2. 002

   The Hippocratic Oath

   HIPPOCRATES · HIPPOCRATIC OATH

   I swear by Apollon the physician, and Asklepios, and Hygeia, and Panakeia, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation...

   Greek · ritual

   Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, Panacea

   Oath
   5th-4th c. BC

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3. 003

   Prayer to Asclepius

   ANONYMOUS (INSCRIPTION FROM ERYTHRAI) · GREEK LYRIC (CAMPBELL, VOL. V) · fr. 939

   Sing, youths, of Paian, skill-famed, Leto's son, Far-shooter — ie Paian! — who fathered a great joy for mortals when he mingled in love with Koronis in the land of the Phlegyai — ie Paian! — Asklepios, the most famous god — ie Paian! By him were fathered Makhaon and Podaleirios and Iaso — ie Paian! — and fair-eyed Aigle and Panakea, children of Epione, along with Hygieia, all-glorious, undefiled; ie Paian! Asklepios, the most famous god — ie Paian! Greetings I give you: graciously visit our wide-spaced city — ie Paian! — and grant that we look on the sun's light in joy, approved with the help of Hygieia, all-glorious, undefiled : ie Paian! — Asklepios, the most famous god — ie Paian!

   Greek · hymn

   Asclepius, Apollo, Hygieia, Iaso, Aegle, Panacea, Epione, Machaon, Podaleirius

   InvocationPetitionPraise
   Greek (BC, exact date uncertain)

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4. 004

   Prayer to Aesculapius

   OVID · METAMORPHOSES · 15.677-678

   Behold the God! It is the God. Think holy thoughts and walk in reverent silence, all who are present. Oh, most Beautiful, let us behold you to our benefit, and give aid to this people that performs your sacred rites.

   Roman · public

   Aesculapius

   PetitionInvocation
   early 1st c. AD

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5. 005

   Prayer to Aesculapius

   MARTIAL · EPIGRAMMATA · 9.17

   Latona's grandson, revered Aesculapis, by whose mild herbal remedies too briefly are the Fates beguiled, from Rome this child sends You his golden locks, that were once his lord's delight, and along with these the mirror that often assured him he was fair. He hastens to sacrifice these tresses that once circled his shining face, happily to serve, in payment for a vow, if You judge that out of danger he will be. Preserve his youthful grace, though his hair is now shortened, and long may You keep him handsome.

   Roman · personal

   Aesculapius

   DedicationPetition
   late 1st c. AD

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6. 006

   Formula for the Meditrinalia

   VARRO · DE LINGUA LATINA · 6.21

   Wine new and old I drink, of illness new and old I am cured.

   Roman · ritual

   Protection
   1st c. BC (Varro preserving an archaic formula)

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7. 007

   Prayer to Apollo and Asclepius

   MAKEDONIKOS OF AMPHIPOLIS · INSCRIPTIONES GRAECAE II³ 4, 777

   We praise the silver-bowed Delian, Zeus's beautiful quiver, silently holy and compassionate, IE PAIAN. Like the Aglaion Êrnos, the supplicant pledges with olive and laurel branch in hand, IE PAIAN, calling upon the leader of the Muses, singing pure hymns to the far-shooting son of Leto, IE PAIAN. Asklepios, kindly youth, defender against any born disease, warder of mortal woes, IE O IE PAIAN. To Kentauros, the pain warder of humans, You taught all the secret healing arts on the peaks of Mt. Pelias, IE PAIAN. Child of Koronis, mild man and modest spirit, IE PAIAN. Adorning the Hellenic lances of the young soldiers, IE PAIAN. Children of Epione and noble Hygeia, Iaso, Akeso and Aigle and Panacea, IE PAIAN. Khaire, illustrious spirit, great benefit of mortals, IE O IE PAIAN. You are gentle, Makar, eliminate dread diseases, IE O IE PAIAN. Come Blessed Paian and grant to your supplicant much-desired health.

   Greek · ritual

   Apollo, Asclepius

   PraisePetitionInvocation
   2nd-1st c. BC

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8. 008

   Prayer to Apollo

   LABRYS POLYTHEISTIC COMMUNITY · HELLENIC POLYTHEISM: HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP · Purification Ceremony — Hymn to Apollon

   I think and sing of Apollon Hecatios. From years past, it is a sacred custom to call upon you. Evil-averting Paian, far-seeing ruler of the World. Great Archer, who established purifications, with yourself as example; after the slaughter of Python, you fled to Karmanora, where you were of service to yourself and atoned. Shoot, with your invincible arrows, the Pythons and the Typhoës, O' Lykêos, with the broad quiver. Infallible giver of oracles, who reigns over the immortal Gods and the mortals of life-giving Earth. I come to you in purity. Grant me fortitude and enlighten my mind so that the dark êrebus which inflicts my soul may be dissolved. Assist me, O' golden-lyred, far-shooting Apollon, that I may resist the onslaught of deceitful and deceptive spectres, release me from infectious ignorance and darkness. Ie Paiean, Ie Paiean, Ie Paiean, Ie Katharsios.

   Greek · ritual

   Apollo

   InvocationPetitionProtection
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9. 009

   Prayer to Helios

   LABRYS POLYTHEISTIC COMMUNITY · HELLENIC POLYTHEISM: HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP · Heliodites — Hymn to Helios

   Come O' King of the noeric fire, Golden Titan. Come O' benefactor of light, who holds the key to the source, You preserve life, governing the material worlds from above with complete and absolute harmony. Come, You who holds the cardinal abode of the sky, and the central radiant circle of the World. You have filled everything with your providence; stimulating the mind. Most excellent of the Gods, Flame-crowned, You are the image of the God who created everything, You elevate the souls. Hear me and cleanse me, remove the stains which infect my soul. Keep me far from punishment, soothing the sharp gaze of justice which sees everything. To my body grant resilience and health. And drive away that which is sent against us from the ever changing weaves of the Moirae, spun beneath the swirling stars. O' Great King, illuminate our minds and grant unimpaired light to our souls.

   Greek · ritual

   Helios

   InvocationPetition
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10. 010

    Prayer to Hygieia

    ARIPHRON · PAIAN TO HYGEIA

    O' Hygeia of the Blissful Ones, you are most revered by mortals; with you I traverse the life remaining in me. For what is the joy of wealth or of children, or what brings people closer to the Gods? The power of a king or the secret lust brought by Aphrodite, or that obvious relief from pain which is the god sent delight. With you, blissful divine Hygeia, the company of the Kharites shine and bloom, without you, no one has well-being.

    Greek · ritual

    Hygieia

    PraiseInvocation
    4th c. BC

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11. 011

    Charm for a dislocation

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 160

    Any kind of dislocation may be cured by the following charm: Take a green reed four or five feet long and split it down the middle, and let two men hold it to your hips. Begin to chant: "motas uaeta daries dardares astataries dissunapiter" and continue until they meet. Brandish a knife over them, and when the reeds meet so that one touches the other, grasp with the hand and cut right and left. If the pieces are applied to the dislocation or the fracture, it will heal. And none the less chant every day: "huat haut haut istasis tarsis ardannabou dannaustra."

    Roman · ritual

    Protection
    2nd c. BC

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12. 012

    Prayer to Earth

    ANTONIUS MUSA · PRECATIO TERRAE · 23-29

    Hear me, please, and favor me. This I ask of You, Holy Mother, and may You willingly give answer to me: May whatever herbs grow by Your providence bring health to all humankind. May You now send these forth to me as Your medicines. May they be filled with Your healing virtues. May everything that I prepare from these herbs have good result, each and every one in the same way.

    Roman · ritual

    Earth

    Petition
    1st c. BC - 1st c. AD

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13. 013

    Prayer to Carmenta

    ANONYMOUS · RITUS CARMENTIS · childbirth prayer

    Grant her the strength, Carmentis, to whom I ask, to whom I pray; extend your assistance to her. Bring with you every herb for ending pain, and soothing songs to sing over her; from across the ocean, from distant shores, bear such herbs as will cure her most severe ills, or whatever else she may most fear. Rack this girl no longer with pain, nor cruelly delay her birthing.

    Roman · personal

    Carmenta

    PetitionInvocation
    modern reconstruction (Nova Roma)

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14. 014

    Prayer to Carmenta

    ANONYMOUS · RITUS CARMENTIS · healing prayer

    Draw near, Carmentis, and expel the illness from this tender girl. Come quickly, Carmentis. Believe me, never shall You regret at having laid Your healing hand upon this comely girl. Do not allow her form to languish pale and thin, nor disfiguring hue to mark her feeble limbs, and whatever ill has come upon her, whatever dread things we fear, may the rushing river-waters carry them away to the sea. Come, Holy Mother, and bring with You soothing herbs and healing songs as will ease her wearied body.

    Roman · ritual

    Carmenta

    PetitionInvocation
    modern reconstruction (Nova Roma)

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15. 015

    Prayer to Apollo and Aesculapius

    QUINTUS SERENUS SAMMONICUS · LIBER MEDICINALIS · Praefatio

    Phoebus Apollo, bearer of health, for You we compose our song, and favorably promote Your discoveries. With Your healing arts, You lead life back when it is withdrawn from us and recall us from joining the Manes in Heaven. You who formerly dwelt in the temples of Aegea, Pergamum, and Epidaurum, and who drove off the Python from Your peaceful house at Delphi, sought a temple at Rome to Your glory, by expelling the foul presence of illness. Come to me now as each time You have fondly strengthen me when often You were called, and may You be present in all that is set out in this book.

    Roman · ritual

    Apollo, Aesculapius

    InvocationPetitionPraise
    2nd-3rd c. AD

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16. 016

    Prayer to Apollo

    TIBULLUS · ELEGIAE · 3.10.1-10; 25-26

    Draw near, Apollo, and expel the illness from this tender girl, come, draw near. Phoebus of flowing hair unshorn, hear me and hasten. If, Phoebus, You apply Your healing hand to her, You will not regret saving her. Allow not that she should waste away emaciated, or that her color should wane to pallor, or that her limbs should lose their strength, and do not wait until her white limbs turn to a hideous color. Whatsoever this illness may be, whatever sorrow we may fear it will bring, carry it off with the waters of a swift running stream to the seas. Holy one, come! And bring with You all Your delicacies, all Your songs, and all else that will soothe the sick.

    Roman · personal

    Apollo

    PetitionProtection
    1st c. BC

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17. 017

    Prayer to Asclepius

    ANONYMOUS (INSCRIPTION FROM THE SHRINE OF ASCLEPIUS AT EPIDAURUS) · GREEK LYRIC (CAMPBELL, VOL. V) · fr. 937

    High-skilled Asklepios; and summon the two Dioskouroi and the august Kharites and glorious Mousai and kindly Moirai and unwearied Helios and Selene at her full and all the signs with which heaven is crowned. Greetings, all you immortal gods everlasting and immortal goddesses!

    Greek · hymn

    Asclepius, the Dioscuri, the Charites, the Muses, the Moirai, Helios, Selene

    Invocation
    Greek (BC, exact date uncertain)

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18. 018

    Hymn to Asclepius

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 67

    Great Asklepios, skilled to heal mankind, all-ruling Paian, and physician kind; whose arts medicinal can alone assuage diseases dire, and stop their dreadful rage. Strong, lenient God, regard my suppliant prayer, bring gentle health, adorned with lovely hair; convey the means of mitigating pain, and raging deadly pestilence restrain. O power all-flourishing, abundant, bright, Apollon's honoured offspring, God of light; husband of blameless Hygeia, the constant foe of dread disease, the minister of woe: come, blessed saviour, human health defend, and to the mortal life afford a prosperous end.

    Greek · hymn

    Asclepius, Apollo, Hygieia

    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)

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19. 019

    Hymn to Asclepius and Apollo

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 16

    I begin to sing of Asklepios, son of Apollon and healer of sicknesses. In the Dotian plain fair Koronis, daughter of King Phlegyas, bare him, a great joy to men, a soother of cruel pangs. And so hail to you, lord: in my song I make my prayer to thee!

    Greek · hymn

    Asclepius, Apollo

    InvocationPraise
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)

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20. 020

    Hymn to Artemis

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 36

    Hear me, Zeus' daughter, celebrated queen, Bromia and Titanis, of a noble mien: in darts rejoicing, and on all to shine, torch-bearing Goddess, Diktynna divine. Over births presiding, and thyself a maid, to labour pangs imparting ready aid: dissolver of the zone, and wrinkled care, fierce huntress, glorying in the sylvan war: swift in the course, in dreadful arrows skilled, wandering by night, rejoicing in the field: of manly form, erect, of bounteous mind, illustrious Daimon, nurse of humankind: immortal, earthly, bane of monsters fell, 'tis thine, blest maid, on woody mounts to dwell: foe of the stag, whom woods and dogs delight, in endless youth you flourish fair and bright. O universal queen, august, divine, a various form, Kydonian power, is thine. Dread guardian Goddess, with benignant mind, auspicious come, to mystic rites inclined; give earth a store of beauteous fruits to bear, send gentle peace, and health with lovely hair, and to the mountains drive disease and care.

    Greek · hymn

    Artemis

    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)

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21. 021

    Prayer to Vulcan

    GRATTIUS FALISCUS · CYNEGETICA · 437-442

    Holy Vulcanus, foremost of those who cherish this place, to You we pray for peace. Grant Your ultimate assistance to the tired and worn, and, if no one here merits punishment for some noxious crime, may You have mercy on all their souls and allow them to reach Your purifying fountains. Three times they invoke Your name, three times they pour rich incense upon the focal fire, and strew the altar with auspicious boughs in Your honor.

    Roman · ritual

    Vulcan

    PetitionProtection
    late 1st c. BC / early 1st c. AD

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22. 022

    Prayer to Priapus

    ANONYMOUS · CARMINA PRIAPEA · 37

    Give assistance, Priapus, to the part of which you, father, seem to be a part yourself! If it is made healthy without surgery, a painted one, its equal in size, shape and color, shall be dedicated to you.

    Roman · personal

    Priapus

    PetitionDedication
    1st c. AD

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23. 023

    Prayer to Aesculapius and Salus

    TERENCE · HECYRA · 328

    I'm sadly afraid Philumena's illness is getting worse. Aesculapius, I do entreat thee, and thee, Salus, that it may not be so.

    Roman · personal

    Aesculapius, Salus

    Petition
    2nd c. BC

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24. 024

    Prayer to Asclepius

    LABRYS POLYTHEISTIC COMMUNITY · HELLENIC POLYTHEISM: HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP · Health Ceremony — Hymn to Asklepios

    Asklepios, Healer of all, who dispels the diseased sufferings of people. Mighty, Soothing, Healer of disease, honoured child of Phoibos Apollon, terminate dire illness. Come O' Blessed Saviour, and grant health to your supplicant and an end to pain.

    Greek · ritual

    Asclepius

    PetitionInvocation
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25. 025

    Prayer to Apollo

    LABRYS POLYTHEISTIC COMMUNITY · HELLENIC POLYTHEISM: HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP · Health Ceremony — Invocation of the Healing Gods

    Come, O' Healing Gods, Apollon, Asklepios, Much Desired Hygeia, and you, Telesphoros. May you terminate dire diseases granting health to our body and mind.

    Greek · ritual

    Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, Telesphorus

    InvocationPetition
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26. 026

    Prayer to Hygieia

    LABRYS POLYTHEISTIC COMMUNITY · HELLENIC POLYTHEISM: HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP · Health Ceremony — Hymn to Hygeia

    Come, O' Blessed Hygeia, much desired, beloved Queen of all. All mortal diseases are destroyed by You, and from You every home blossoms and is filled with joy, even the crafts flourish from you, for it is You that people desire, O' Queen, ever-flourishing, much-praised, repose of mortals. Come, Goddess, without You all else is futile, save your supplicant from ill-fated disease.

    Greek · ritual

    Hygieia

    PetitionInvocation
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27. 027

    First Hymn to Telesphorus

    ANONYMOUS (INSCRIPTION FROM ATHENS) · INSCRIPTIONES GRAECAE II³ 4, 939 · ll. 19-29

    O young imperishable shoot […] Telesphoros, your excellences […] all-wise, [son?] of the god who looses pain […] […] deathless, grief-banishing […] the all-tongued races of mortals — raise them up out of their toils, you two,

    Greek · ritual

    Telesphorus, Asclepius

    InvocationPetitionPraise
    2nd-3rd c. AD

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28. 028

    Prayer to Neptune

    ARNOBIUS · ADVERSUS NATIONES · III.43

    Come, Dii Penates, come Apollo and Neptune and all You Gods, and by Your powers may You mercifully turn aside this ill disease that violently twists, scorches and burns our city with fever.

    Roman · public

    Neptune, Apollo, the Penates

    PetitionProtection
    3rd-4th c. AD

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29. 029

    Prayer to Apollo

    ANONYMOUS · CARMINA LATINA EPIGRAPHICA · 2.1841

    Phoebus Tirynthia, I pray, please accept this offering on my behalf. This gift I offer in thanks to You for the good health and strength that I have had.

    Roman · personal

    Apollo

    GratitudeDedication
    late 2nd c. AD

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30. 030

    Prayer to Apollo

    OVID · REMEDIA AMORIS · 704

    Come, health-bearing Apollo, come favoring my undertaking.

    Roman · literary

    Apollo

    Invocation
    Augustan

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31. 031

    Prayer to Bacchus

    GRATTIUS · CYNEGETICA · 475-476

    Liber expels light cares from the heart, Liber brings soothing relief from distress. Liber expels pains from the chest, Liber bears medicine to soothe a fever.

    Roman · literary

    Bacchus

    Praise
    Augustan

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