This ancient constellation is the only one to be broken into two separate pieces. The snake Serpens is often combined with the constellation of Ophiuchus, the serpent-bearer. Serpens is the snake that Ophiuchus is holding, with Serpens Caput, the snake's head on his west, and Serpens Cauda, the snake's tail on his east. According to mythology Serpens is the snake that gave Aesculapius (Ophiuchus) the knowledge of how to bring the dead back to life. Since ancient times the image of a snake entwined on a staff (the Caduceus) has been the symbol of medicine. The constellation of Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda can be found around that of Ophiuchus, they can both be located just above Scorpius, the scorpion.