In Greek mythology, Machaon was a son of Asclepius; with his brother Podalirius, he led an army from Thessaly in the Trojan War on the side of the Greeks. Both Machaon and Podalirius were highly valued surgeons and medics. In the Iliad he was wounded and put out of action by Paris. He was also supposed to possess herbs which were bestowed to his father Asclepius by Chiron, the centaur.