Here's a Rod of Aesculapius, displayed on the facade of the old Barber Surgeons Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne, built in 1851. Aesculapius was the Greek god of medicine (as Asclepius), imported by the Romans during a plague epidemic in 292 BC. Aesculapius is associated with snakes, which represent healing. I have a whole Fabulous Folklore episode about him!
#Aesculapius #GreekGods #RomanGods #GodOfMedicine #BarberSurgeonsHall #NewcastleUponTyne #History #Asclepius #NewcastleHistory #JohnDobson