Essentially, visiting the Asclepieion of Epidaurus, the most significant of the approximately 300 Asclepieia discovered around the Mediterranean, is like immersing yourself in a sacred, magical universe where the ancient Greeks’ holistic approach to health is at its finest. Dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, the site attracted people from all over the ancient world who were seeking divine guidance for their health problems.
Asclepian medicine was known for its comprehensive approach to patient care. Treatment focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle, particularly emphasizing the spiritual needs of the individual. Asclepius was said to appear to patients during the curative dream ritual, during which he would tell them how to cure their ailment. At the very least, if they were not visited directly by the deity in their sleep, they would report their dream to a priest, who would then interpret it and prescribe a cure. Often, this cure would be a visit to the baths or a gymnasium.
The highlight of Epidaurus is its magnificent theater, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by the architect Polykleitos the Younger, the theater is renowned for its immaculate symmetry and beauty. Its incredible acoustics have been the subject of much research — the secret seems to lie in the monument’s design. The theater was an integral part of the healing sanctuary because theatrical performances were believed to benefit all the senses and promote catharsis, or purification. Depending on their condition, patients would be “prescribed” certain performances, and the theater’s incredible acoustics would be used for sound healing.
Visitors can experience the profound acoustics for themselves. Stand in the middle of the orchestra and sing or recite. You can also test the acoustics by gradually increasing your vocal volume until your partner in the upper tiers can hear you! During the Athens-Epidaurus Festival, one of the oldest performing arts festivals in Europe held from June to October, you can enjoy the unique experience of watching plays and concerts under the stars in the same way people did 2,500 years ago—without any sound equipment!
You can take a look at the Asclepieion of Epidaurus here:
Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus, Greece – World Heritage Journeys. (2019, September 19). [Video]. YouTube.
Let us introduce you to Blue Mosaic’s cultural options, where our associate licensed local historian will guide you through the historical evolution of Western medicine from its primitive, magical origins to scientific medicine.
