Epidaurus Sanctuary of Asklepios
Ἐπίδαυρος · Asklepieion of Epidaurus · Epidavros Theatre
Archaic to Hellenistic 6th–2nd c. BCE·Ancient Greek Argive·🇬🇷 Peloponnese, Argolis, Greece
About
About Epidaurus Sanctuary of Asklepios
Healing sanctuary of Asklepios, god of medicine, famed for the 4th-century BCE Theater (14,000 seats) with perfect acoustics, Temple of Asklepios (Tholos with labyrinth), Enkoimeterion dormitory, Abaton incubation hall and stadium. Patients slept in Abaton for dream cures interpreted by priests. Theater by Polykleitos the Younger remains best-preserved Greek theater, still used for Epidavria festival.
Why it mattersPeak of Greek theater acoustics; foundational site for Hippocratic medicine archaeology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Theater acoustic perfection intentional calculation or empirical
- 02Tholos labyrinth function ritual or drain
Theories
- 01Acoustic theatre as music-therapy for patients
- 02Incubation as early psychotherapy via dreams
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Theater c.360–320 BCE; sanctuary peak 6th–4th c. BCE
- Period
- Archaic to Hellenistic 6th–2nd c. BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Greek Argive
- Builders
- Argive and Epidaurian architects; Polykleitos the Younger (theater)
- Purpose
- Healing sanctuary with theater and incubation dream therapy
- Excavation
- Excavated
Theater c.360–320 BCE; sanctuary peak 6th–4th c. BCE
Initial construction
c. 1425 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
37.5986° N · 23.0794° E · 340 m · 3 mapped features
Theater
theater14,000-seat acoustic marvel
37.5965° N · 23.0790° ETholos (Thymele)
templeCircular labyrinth building for snake cult
37.5980° N · 23.0795° EEnkoimeterion
structureAbaton dormitory for incubation sleep
37.5988° N · 23.0785° E
Gallery