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