At the antiquated Greek , Péan or Péon (in Greek old Παιάν / Paián , Παιήων / Paiếôn or Παιών / Paiốn ) is initially a god healer. The word becomes then a épiclèse of Apollon, before indicating a song of thanksgiving in the honor of the god.
Healer
Homère mentions Péan in the song V of Iliade , as an healer of the gods. Dioné, mother of Aphrodite, tells with this last blessée by Diomède how Péan looked after Hadès, wounded as for him by Héraclès:
“Péan on him spread calming powders, and it could cure it, because it had not been born mortal” (400-401)
In the same way, Péan looks after Arès wounded by Diomède:
“Like the juice of fig tree made, when it is agitated, curdle the white and fluid milk, who, quickly, takes under the eyes of that which turns it, in the same way, quickly, Péan cures burning Arès. ”
The name becomes then a épiclèse of the Apollon god, in his role of healer.
Song
As of Homère, the péan is also a solemn and collective song with Apollon, in entreaty or thanksgiving. Thus the Greeks request, after Apollon sent the plague in the Achaean field:
“And all the day, in chorus, the sons of the Achaens, to alleviate the god, sing beautiful the péan and celebrate the Preservative one. And him, enjoys itself in the ouïr
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