Full Idea
The magic of Asclepius, reinterpreted through Plotinus, enters with Ficino's De Vita into the neo-platonic philosophy of the Renaissance, and, moreover, into Ficino's Christian Platonism.
Gist of Idea
The magic of Asclepius enters Renaissance thought mixed into Ficino's neo-platonism
Source
Frances A. Yates (Giordano Bruno and Hermetic Tradition [1964], Ch.4)
Book Reference
Yates,Frances A.: 'Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition' [Chicago 1991], p.68
A Reaction
Asclepius is the source of 'Hermetic' philosophy. This move seems to be what gives the Renaissance period its rather quirky and distinctive character. Montaigne was not a typical figure. Most of them wanted to become gods and control the stars!