EPIDAURUS (city in Epidauria)
Ancient city in Argolis, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Epidauria
- Patron
- Asclepius
- Landmarks
- Sanctuary of Asklepios Pausanias 2.26.1; Temple of Artemis Pausanias 2.27.5; Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Themis Pausanias 2.27.5; Sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas Pausanias 2.27.7; Sanctuary of Artemis Coryphaea Pausanias 2.28.2; Precinct of Asclepius Pausanias 2.29.1; Temple of Dionysus Pausanias 2.29.1; Sanctuary of Aphrodite Pausanias 2.29.1; Sanctuary of Hera Pausanias 2.29.1; Citadel of Epidaurus Pausanias 2.29.1; Boundary Marks of the Sacred Grove (Asklepios) Pausanias 2.27.1; Hyrnethium (Hyrnetho) Pausanias 2.28.3; City wall of Epidaurus Pausanias 2.28.3; Harbour of Epidaurus Pausanias 2.29.1; Race-course Pausanias 2.27.5; Image of Epione Pausanias 2.27.5; Statue of Asclepius Pausanias 2.29.1; Statue of Epione Pausanias 2.29.1; Statue of Artemis Pausanias 2.29.1; Wooden Image of Athena Cissaea Pausanias 2.29.1; Image of Athena Pausanias 2.29.1; Twisted Olive Tree (Heracles) Pausanias 2.28.2
- People of myth here
- Deiphontes, Periphetes
- Where
- 37.60° N, 23.07° E
The city contains a precinct dedicated to the god Asclepius. Pausanias 2.29.1 The city has a temple dedicated to the god Dionysus. Pausanias 2.29.1 The city hosted games named after Alkathoos where the youth of the area competed. Pindar, Isthmian 7 ¶13
Described in the sources
Epidaurus is a sacred location. Pausanias 2.1.4 +1 Procles, the father of Melissa, held the title of tyrant in Epidaurus. Herodotus 3.50.2 +1 Epidaurus is no longer an island. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.91 ¶1 The citadel holds a wooden image of the goddess Athena. Pausanias 2.29.1 The city has a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Pausanias 2.29.1 The island of Pityonesos is situated opposite Epidaurus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶3 The Argives crossed from this location to the island of Aegina. Herodotus 5.86.4 A sanctuary at the harbor is said to belong to the goddess Hera. Pausanias 2.29.1 The city contains a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Pausanias 2.29.1 The Epidaurians are neighbors to the Corinthians on the sea-ward side. Pausanias 8.1.1
Stories and history
A group of Argives led by Deiphontes seized the city of Epidaurus. Pausanias 2.29.5 The Aeginetans revolted against the control of the inhabitants of this city. Herodotus 5.83.1 The people of Epidaurus believed the olive trees in Athens were the holiest. Herodotus 5.82.2 The Romans transported the statue of Asclepius from this location to their city. Strabo 12.5.3 The Aeginetans were previously subject to the authority of the people of this city. Herodotus 5.83.1 The men of Epidaurus requested permission from the Athenians to cut down olive trees. Herodotus 5.82.2