Epidaurus, Greece, 24 May 2024 I The birthplace of the science of medicine!

The sanctuary of Asklepios and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988, because of their exemplary architecture and importance in the development and spread of healing sanctuaries and cults across the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.

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Epidaurus was independent of Argos and not included in Argolis until the time of the Romans. With its supporting territory, it formed the small territory called Epidauria. It was reputed to be founded by or named for the hero Epidaurus, and to be the birthplace of Apollo's son Asklepios the healer.

Epidaurus is best known for its healing sanctuary and the Sanctuary of Asklepios. The cult of Asklepios at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC, when the older hill-top sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas was no longer spacious enough. It was the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical world, the place where ill people went in the hope of being cured. To find out the right cure for their ailments, they spent a night in the enkoimeteria, a big sleeping hall. In their dreams, the god himself would advise them what they had to do to regain their health. Within the sanctuary there was a guest house, katagogion, with 160 guest rooms. There are also mineral springs in the vicinity, which may have been used in healing.

Asklepios, the most important healer god of antiquity, brought prosperity to the sanctuary, which flourished until the first half of the first century BC, when it suffered extensive damage when it was sacked by Sulla during the First Mithridatic War. It was revived after a visit by Hadrian in AD 124 and enjoyed renewed prosperity in the following centuries. In AD 395 the Goths raided the sanctuary. Even after the introduction of Christianity and the silencing of the oracles, the sanctuary at Epidaurus was still known as late as the mid 5th century as a Christian healing centre.

The prosperity brought by the asclepeion enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including the huge theatre. The ancient theatre of Epidaurus was designed by Polykleitos the Younger in the 4th century BC. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. As is usual for Greek theatres, and as opposed to Roman ones, the view on a lush landscape behind the stage is an integral part of the theatre itself. The theatre seats up to 14,000 people, and is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics.

Epidaurus information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/491/

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