Europe Greece, Dodecanese, Kos, the Asclepieion archaeological site
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Contributor:
Realy Easy Star/Giuseppe Masci / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
CPN30EFile size:
66.2 MB (3.3 MB Compressed download)Releases:
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5887 x 3928 px | 49.8 x 33.3 cm | 19.6 x 13.1 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
18 May 2010Location:
Europe Greece, Dodecanese, Kos, Asclepieion archaeological siteMore information:
Europe Greece, Dodecanese, Kos, the Asclepieion archaeological site The archaeological site of Asclepieion (Asklepion, Asklepieion) is situated 4 km to the northwest of the town of Kos, in a grove of huge cypresses and pine trees. It is the most significant archaeological complex on the island and the most widely known among the total of 300 Asclepieia in Ancient Greece. The temple of Asclepieion, situated on a hillside with a lovely view over the Turkish coast, was built on the site of a still older sanctuary dedicated to Apollo the Cyparissian. Excavation findings have provided evidence of human presence at the location as early as the Mycenaean and the Geometric period. The temple was erected in the 4th century BC, when the cult of Asclepius was introduced to the island. During the 2nd century BC the temple was expanded significantly to meet increasing demands as its fame had spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean, mainly owing to the medical school, founded by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC. The Asclepieion was served by priests of the god Asclepius, called Asclepiads, who practiced medicine alongside with their priesthood obligations. Patients prayed to god Asclepius, while at the same time following a diet, doing physical exercises and taking various kinds of cure.