English: Iamatika


Posidippus, Epigrams, Pap. Mil. Vogl. VIII 309

Iamatika

AB 95 (XIV 30-37)

Like this bronze which, drawing shallow breath up over
     its bones, scarcely gathers life into its eyes,
such were the ones he used to save from disease, that man who discovered
     how to treat the dreadful bite of the Libyan asp,
Medeios, son of Lampon, from Olynthos, to whom his father
     gave all the panacea of Asclepius’ sons.
To you, O Pythian Apollo, in token of his craft
     he dedicated this shriveled frame, the remnant of a man.

Translated by Peter Bing

AB 95 (XIV 30-37) Like this brazen one, who takes a thin breath on his bones
     and hardly draws together some life in his eyes,
such were those that Medeios, son of Lampon, from Olynthos
     saved from illness, as he discovered the cure from the dreadful bites
of the Libyan asp. To him his father bestowed
     the all-healing power of the Asklepiads.
To you, o Pythian Apollon, as tokens of his skill,
     he dedicated this skeleton, the relic of a man.

Translated by Nassos Papalexandrou

AB 96 (XIV 38-XV 2) Antichares came to you, Asclepius, with two canes,
     dragging his step along the path.
And sacrificing to you, he rose up on both feet
     and escaped his long-time bed.

Translated by Peter Bing

AB 97 (XV 3-6) In payment to you for curing his sickness, Asclepius, Koan
     Soses dedicates a silver libation bowl,
he whose six-year illness, together with the sacred disease,
     divinity, you came and wiped away in a single night.

Translated by Peter Bing

AB 98 (XV 7-10) Archytas had kept the deadly bronze for six years in his thigh
     ……. a festering wound,
when painless [he beheld you gracious], Paean.
     So after the dream being cured [he escaped] his great toil.

Translated by Peter Bing

AB 99 (XV 11-14) Asklas the Cretan, deaf and unable to hear either
     the [crash] of the surf or clatter of winds,
suddenly because of his vows for Asclepius went home
     a man about to hear conversations even through brick walls.

Translated by Peter Bing

AB 100 (XV 15-18) When Zenon had to sleep that gentle sleep,
     in blindness for the twenty fifth summer,
at age eighty he was cured. But glimpsing
     the sun only twice, he beheld oppressive Hades.

Translated by Peter Bing

AB 101 (XV 19-22) The noblest man, Asclepius, prays for moderate wealth –
     your power is great to bestow it when you wish –
and he prays for health: remedies both. For these appear to be
     a towering citadel for human conduct.

Translated by Peter Bing