The main materials used for its construction were limestone and poros stone. The Epidaurus theatre is one of the best preserved theatres in Greece. Perhaps drama and art therapy aren’t as new as we thought! What does the Epidaurus ancient theatre look like? Interestingly, the ancient Greeks believed that artistic performances could improve people’s physical and psychological health. The theatre was built to provide a space for musical competitions and performances, which would be held to honour the popular god. So how about the ancient theatre of Epidaurus? What is its connection with the ancient god?Īccording to the famous ancient Greek geographer Pausanias, the theatre of Epidaurus was built in 340 – 330 BC, at the time when the ancient sanctuary was very popular. New monuments and buildings were constructed, to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors. Still, the sanctuary in Epidaurus became the most important therapeutic establishment in Ancient Greece. In some regions, it was even believed that Asclepius could bring people back from the Underworld. It’s worth noting that there were many more sanctuaries of Asklepios in different areas of Greece, operating in a similar fashion. Patients and pilgrims travelled from far and wide to be treated.
![the priests of asklepios the priests of asklepios](https://www.ordinaryreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ac-odyssey-the-priests-of-asklepios-walkthrough-800x450.png)
Over the years, the therapeutic powers of Asklepios became more and more famous. The ancient complex became the equivalent of a modern hospital / wellness centre.
![the priests of asklepios the priests of asklepios](https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cms/10.1086/675272/asset/images/medium/fg1a.gif)
The important healing centre of Epidaurus This is undoubtedly related to the presence of therapeutic springs in the area. In turn, Apollo Maleatas had replaced and earlier deity who was worshipped during the Mycenean era. His cult followed that of his father, Apollo Maleatas, who was known to cure the diseased since around 1,000 BC. However, Asklepios wasn’t the first healing god worshipped in this area. A gold-and-ivory chryselephantine statue of Asklepios was placed inside. The impressive monument was destroyed in the 5th century AD, and only a few ruins are visible today. The sanctuary developed into the most important healing center in ancient Greece.Ī grand limestone temple dedicated to the god was built around 380 – 370 BC. Towards the beginning of the 4th century BC, a sanctuary of Asclepius was established in the area of Argolis. It was built to host musical and theatrical shows in his honour.īut what’s the connection between a theatre and the god of medicine? To answer this question, we need to go back in time. The ancient theatre is located inside the grounds of the sanctuary of Asklepios / Asclepius, the ancient god of medicine and healing. Not everyone realizes that the site was a lot more than this. Most visitors know Epidaurus for its ancient theatre with the world-famous acoustics. The importance of Epidaurus in Ancient Greece Let’s have a look into the site’s history, and why it was so important. Other nearby attractions include Ancient Mycenae and the city of Nafplion. Known for its superb acoustics, this magnificent theatre is still used for performances and ancient drama.Įpidaurus is in the region of Argolis in the Peloponnese, a comfortable 2-hour drive from Athens. Its official name is Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, or Asklepieion of Epidaurus.įor most people, the highlight of their visit is the Ancient theatre of Epidaurus.
![the priests of asklepios the priests of asklepios](https://clipground.com/images/aaron-priest-clipart-8.jpg)
The archaeological site in Epidaurus is one of the most significant ancient sites in Greece. Here is some information about this spectacular UNESCO site. Several of these therapies were undertaken while the sufferer was in the state of “enkoimesis.” Four surgical cures, opening of an abdominal abscess, removal of traumatic foreign bodies from the jaw, thorax and eyelid are technically simple and realistic enough to have actually taken place, but with the help of soporific substances and most probably opium, given to the sufferers before the act of “enkoimesis.” An important archaeological finding was that the coffers presenting poppy flowers, which ornament the marble ceiling of a sanctuary building, provides indirect evidence about the use of opium to facilitate medical and surgical interventions undertaken in this inner area of the sanctuary.The ancient theatre of Epidaurus is a popular day trip from Athens. 350 BC, preserve the names, case histories, complaints and cures of about 70 patients who came to the temple with a problem and shed it there. In the Asclepieion of Epidauros, three large marble boards, dated ca. While in this state, the patients waited to receive a dream vision of the god who would either give medical advice or even cure them by surgery. Stone inscriptions of cures in the sanctuaries of Asklepios, the Greek god physician and surgeon, describe the ritual act of “enkoimesis,” a dream-like state of sleep induction practiced in these shrines.