ABSTRACT
Ancient Epidaurus lies just south of modern Epidaurus (Nea Epidavros), across the Saronic Gulf from Athens. In the 4th century it received an ambitious architectural development, which included what is now one of the best preserved and most familiar monuments of ancient Greece, the grand and elegant Theatre of Epidaurus. The resulting sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus became the most famous healing sanctuary in Greece. From Epidaurus the cult of Asclepius was brought to many other communities, including Athens in 420 BC and Rome in 293 BC. At its height, the sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus included a ceremonial entryway, at least three temples, sacrificial altars, a banquet hall, baths, hostel, gymnasium, and stadium. Authors do not know how much of the more methodical developments in diet, drugs, bloodletting or surgery might have been practised at Epidaurus.
