Epidaurus [1] or Epidaurus [2] ( Greek: Ἐπίδαυρος , Greek Επίδαυρος ) is an ancient city in Greece , located in the northeast of the Peloponnese , on the eastern coast of the Argolis Peninsula. In the ancient period was the center of a small area of Epidavria ( Επιδαυρία ). Famous for the ruins of an ancient theater and the temple of Asclepius . Currently, a small fishing village is located near the ancient ruins.
| Ancient city | |
| Epidaurus | |
|---|---|
| Greek Επίδαυρος | |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site No. 491 since 1988 (12th session) | |
| Title | Archaeological sites of Epidaurus |
| Region |  Greece |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv, vi |
History
The city existed from the Mycenaean era (during the excavations, the remains of the fortress walls and burials related to this era were discovered). During the VIII and VII centuries BC. e. Epidaurus was very active and enjoyed significant influence: colonies were founded on the islands of Aegina , Kos , Nisyros and Tenedos ( Bozcaada ). The famous tyrant Proclus, who ruled in the VII century BC. e., who was married to Erisphenia - the daughter of the Arcadian king Aristocrat II . He gave his daughter Melissa to the tyrant Periander of Corinth . But then he was overthrown by his son-in-law. In the VI century BC e. in trade, which led Epidaurus, there was a decline. An oligarchy came to power here, speaking in the Peloponnesian wars of the 5th century BC. e. in alliance with Sparta , as a result of which Epidaurus was repeatedly subjected to raids by the Athenians and their allies. Subsequently, the city fell into obscurity, retaining significance only as a port at the great sanctuary of Asclepius (Aesculapius) .
Attractions
Now at the excavation site you can see the ruins of temples dedicated to Asclepius, pools with thermal waters, rooms in which priests received patients, as well as buildings for athletic competitions (stadium, gymnasiums, guest rooms), which were regularly arranged here in honor of the healing god . The ruins of fymena ( tolos ), round in terms of the structure intended for the performance of cult music, have also been preserved. The cella of the building was surrounded by Doric columns, inside was also a ring of Corinthian columns [3] .
Asklepion
The cult of Asclepius first developed here in the VI century BC. e. and about V century BC. e., in Epidaurus crowds of pilgrims prayed for healing. Already in the IV century BC. e. the sanctuary became one of the largest and most revered in all of Greece and continued to flourish under the Romans. But in the IV century the temple was closed as a pagan - during the reign of Theodosius I the Great , who widely spread Christianity.
Theater
The main attraction of Epidaurus is a theater with approximately 14 thousand seats, built in the IV century BC. e. The ancient Greeks believed that not only medicines and powders can treat patients, but also theatrical performances, which cause the viewer delight, awe, fear and - as a result - catharsis . The well-preserved theater allows you to appreciate not only the grace of the architectural solution, but also the engineering genius of the ancient masters: a whisper from the stage is clearly audible even in the very top rows.
Archaeological Museum
Near the theater is an archaeological museum with a rather interesting exposure. In one of the halls of the museum it is shown what a classic tholos burial looks like. Among the sculptural exhibits stands the capital of the column, carved by the famous sculptor Polyclet . The museum also boasts a large collection of surgical instruments found in the sanctuary of Asclepius, gift inscriptions made to order of the healed, and in addition, stone images of the healed organs that the ancient Greeks traditionally donated to the temple after healing recovered ( votive items ) are exhibited here.
Theater at Epidaurus, May 2016
Asklepion Stadium, May 2016
Asklepion, hospital, May 2016
Theater at Epidaurus, May 2016
Notes
- ↑ Epidaurus // The Real Dictionary of Classical Antiquities / ed. F. Lubker ; Edited by members of the Society of Classical Philology and Pedagogy F. Gelbke , L. Georgievsky , F. Zelinsky , V. Kansky , M. Kutorgi and P. Nikitin . - SPb. , 1885.
- ↑ Greece: Reference card: Scale 1: 1,000,000 / hl ed. Y. A. Topchiyan ; Ed .: G. A. Skachkova , N. N. Ryumin . - M .: Roskartografiya, Omsk Cartographic Factory , 2001. - (The countries of the world "Europe"). - 2000 copies.
- ↑ Bartenev I.A., Batazhkova V.N. Essays on the history of architectural styles. - M .: Fine Arts, 1983. - S. 31. - 264 p.
Literature
- Epidaurus // Elokventsiya - Yaya. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1957. - P. 117. - ( Great Soviet Encyclopedia : [in 51 vols.] / Ch. Ed. B. A. Vvedensky ; 1949-1958, vol. 49).
- Kuznetsov V.D. Craftsmen-metalworkers of Epidaurus // Problems of Ancient Culture. - M. , 1986. - S. 43-48. - 288 p.