Asklepios
Asklepios was a demigod, the son of Apollo and a princess of Lapith. He was raised by Chiron and learned the art of healing the sick. Asklepios used his powers of healing at Epidavros. People from all over Greece traveled to his city to be cured. He walked about with a staff. Serpents were entwined upon it. The serpents whispered the secrets of healing to Asklepios. It was said that Asklepios's powers of healing were so great that he could bring the dead back to life. Hades and the Fates were angry because this affected the balance of life. They complained to Zeus. Apollo pleaded for his son's life. At first Zeus allowed Asklepious to continue this practice but one day Zeus found out that Asklepios was accepting gold in payment for his skill. Zeus hurled a thunderbolt at him and killed him. Asklepios's knowlege and skills were passed down to his children and their children and so on. That is why we have so many skilled physicians today. It is also why the medical symbol, the caduceus, a winged staff with 2 snakes entwined about it, is used today.