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 had awarded the victory to the former, Midas ventured to disagree with that opinion, and was thereupon provided with a pair of asses' ears. Marsyas, another flute player, having challenged Apollo, was burnt alive.

Peon, sometimes identified with Apollo, was the physician of Olympus. He is said to have first practised in Egypt. In the fifth book of the 'Iliad' Homer describes how he cured the wound which Diomed had given to Mars:—

—Peon sprinkling heavenly balm around, Assuaged the glowing pangs and closed the wound.

Æsculapius, son of Apollo and Coronis, had a more immediate connection with medicine than his father. He was taught its mysteries by Chiron the Centaur,