Last update:
08-Jul-2004

It is postulated that the first temples of Asclepios were established in the 5th century BC in many regions in Greece. The healthiest regions with suitable springs of water were chosen for the sites of Asclepieia with a view to enhancing the rapid recovery of the sick people who presented themselves at the temples. The suppliants entering the temples did not suffer from very severe illnesses, and various treatments were applied depending on the nature of the disease. The stone tablets found in the excavations of the Asclepieion at Epidaurus by P. Kavvadias, in addition to other archeological findings, such as opium capsules, surgical tools etc., in many of Asclepieia, verify the fact that the priests were responsible for the treatment of the patients, using drugs, surgical operations and psychological techniques. However, medicine was part of the religion at that time in ancient Greece and consequently the priests attributed the cures to the intervention of God Asclepios. Thus, Asclepieia constituted the main focus in the development of Greek medicine and housed their first patients as “holy” health institutions. In these first hospitals of mankind certain methods of treatment were introduced for the first time, which did not have a miraculous character, but which actually constituted a rendering of health services.

Key words: Asclepieia, Asclepios, Hospitals, Miraculous treatments, Priests.