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{{Infobox Greek Dimos
 |name = Epidaurus
 |name_local = Ἐπίδαυρος
|type = municipality
 |image_map = 2011 Dimos Epidavrou.png
 |periph = [[Peloponnese (region)|Peloponnese]]
|periphunit         =  [[Argolis]]
|pop_municipality   = 7030
|area_municipality  = 340.4
|pop_municunit      = 3418
|area_municunit     = 160.6
 |population_as_of =  2021
 |elevation =
 |coordinates        = {{coord|37|35|52|N|23|04|28|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 |postal_code = 210 59
 |area_code =
 |licence = AP
 |mayor =
 |website =
 |image_skyline      = 20190511 172 epidaure.jpg
 |caption_skyline    =
 |since              =
 | footnotes         = 
  {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
  |child = yes
  |Official_name = Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
  |ID = 491
  |Year = 1988
  |Criteria = Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv, vi
  |Area = 1,393.8 ha
  |Buffer_zone = 3,386.4 ha 
  }}
}}
'''Epidaurus''' ({{langx|el|Ἐπίδαυρος}}) was a small city (''[[polis]]'') in [[ancient Greece]], on the [[Argolid Peninsula]] at the [[Saronic Gulf]]. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros: ''[[Palaia Epidavros]]'' and ''[[Nea Epidavros]]''. Since 2010 they belong to the new municipality of Epidaurus, part of the regional unit of [[Argolis]]. The seat of the municipality is the town [[Lygourio]].<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref> The nearby [[Temple of Asclepius, Epidaurus|sanctuary of Asclepius]] and [[Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus|ancient theatre]] were inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 1988 because of their exemplary architecture and importance in the development and spread of healing sanctuaries and cults across the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/491 |title = Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus |website = UNESCO World Heritage Convention |publisher = United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization |access-date = 12 November 2022}}</ref>

==Name and etymology==
The name "Epidaurus" is of [[Greek language|Greek]] origin. It was named after the hero [[Epidaurus (mythology)|Epidauros]], son of [[Apollo]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cartwright|first=Mark|date=2012|title=Epidaurus|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/epidaurus/|access-date=|website=[[World History Encyclopedia]]|language=en}}</ref> According to [[Strabo]], the city was originally named Ἐπίκαρος (Epíkaros) under the [[Carians]], ([[Aristotle]] claimed that [[Caria]], as a naval empire, occupied Epidaurus and Hermione)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ridgeway|first=William|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/890937713|title=The early age of Greece. Volume 1|date=2014|isbn=978-1-107-43458-5|location=Cambridge|pages=269|oclc=890937713}}</ref> before taking the name Ἐπίταυρος (Epítauros) when the city was taken by the [[Ionians]] and finally becoming Ἐπίδαυρος (Epídauros) after the [[Dorians]] conquered the city. Compare the individual elements ἐπί (epí, "upon"), Καρία (Karía, "Carian"), ταῦρος (taûros, "bull") and Δωριεύς (Dōrieús "Dorian")/Δωριεῖς (Dōrieîs, "Dorians").<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ἐπίδαυρος (Epidaurus)|url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E1%BC%98%CF%80%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%82|access-date=2021-09-15|website=[[Wiktionary]]|language=en}}</ref>

==History==

Epidaurus was independent of [[Ancient Argos|Argos]] and not included in [[Argolis]] until the time of the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. With its supporting territory, it formed the small territory called [[Epidauria]]. It was reputed to be founded by or named for the hero [[Epidaurus (mythology)|Epidaurus]], and to be the birthplace of [[Apollo]]'s son [[Asclepius]] the healer.

==Buildings==

=== Sanctuary of Asclepius===
{{main|Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus}}
Epidaurus is best known for its healing sanctuary (''[[asclepieion]]'') and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, situated about five miles (8&nbsp;km) from the town, with its [[Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus|theatre]], which is still in use today. The cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC, when the older hill-top sanctuary of [[Apollo Maleatas]] was no longer spacious enough. It was the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical world, the place where ill people went in the hope of being cured. To find out the right cure for their ailments, they spent a night in the ''enkoimeteria'', a big sleeping hall. In their dreams, the god himself would advise them what they had to do to regain their health. Within the sanctuary there was a guest house (''katagogion'') with 160 guest rooms. There are also mineral springs in the vicinity, which may have been used in healing.

Asclepius, the most important healer god of antiquity, brought prosperity to the sanctuary, which flourished until the first half of the first century BC, when it suffered extensive damage when it was sacked by [[Sulla]] during the [[First Mithridatic War]]. It was revived after a visit by [[Hadrian]] in AD 124 and enjoyed renewed prosperity in the following centuries.<ref>*{{cite book |last1=Melfi |first1=Milena |editor1-last=Rizakēs |editor1-first=A. D. |editor2-last=Lepenioti |editor2-first=Cl. E. |title=Roman Peloponnese III: Society, Economy and Culture under the Roman Empire: Continuity and Innovation |date=2010 |publisher=Kentron Hellēnikēs kai Rōmaikēs Archaiotētos |location=Athēna |isbn=9789607905543 |pages=329–340 |chapter=Rebuilding the Myth of Asklepios at the Sanctuary of Epidauros in the Roman Period}}
</ref>

In AD 395 the [[Goths]] raided the sanctuary. Even after the introduction of [[Christianity]] and the silencing of the [[oracle]]s, the sanctuary at Epidaurus was still known as late as the mid 5th century as a [[Christians|Christian]] healing centre.

===Theatre===
{{main|Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus}}
[[File:The great theater of Epidaurus, designed by Polykleitos the Younger in the 4th century BC, Sanctuary of Asklepeios at Epidaurus, Greece (14038572644).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus]]]]

The prosperity brought by the asclepeion enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including the huge [[Theater (structure)|theatre]] that delighted [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] for its symmetry and beauty, used again today for dramatic performances, the ceremonial ''hestiatoreion'' ([[banquet]]ing hall), and a [[palaestra]]. [[Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus|The ancient theatre of Epidaurus]] was designed by [[Polykleitos the Younger]] in the 4th century BC. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. As is usual for Greek theatres (and as opposed to Roman ones), the view on a lush landscape behind the ''[[Skene (theatre)|skênê]]'' is an integral part of the theatre itself and is not to be obscured. It seats up to 14,000 people.

The theatre has long had a reputation for its exceptional [[acoustics]], which reportedly allowed almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken words from the [[proscenium]] or ''[[Skene (theatre)|skēnē]]'' to all 14,000 spectators, regardless of their seating, a tale often recounted by tour guides.<ref name="guardianMythBusted">{{cite news |title=Whisper it – Greek theatre's legendary acoustics are a myth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/16/whisper-it-greek-amphitheatre-legendary-acoustics-myth-epidaurus |work=The Guardian |date=16 October 2017 |language=en}}</ref> In-situ measurements, however, somewhat moderate these claims: although most sounds can indeed be noticed throughout, intelligibility is not guaranteed, particularly for voice, which requires good projection,<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Hoekstra N, Nicolai B, Peeters BP, Hak CC, Wenmaekers RH|title=Project Ancient Acoustics Part 2 of 4 : large-scale acoustical measurements in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the theatres of Epidaurus and Argos |journal=23rd International Congress on Sound & Vibration |date=July 2016 |pages=1–8 |url=https://pure.tue.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/51052274/2016_Project_Ancient_Acoustics_part_2_of_4_Large_scale_acoustical_measurements_in_the_Odeon_of_Herodes_Atticus_and_the_theatres_of_Epidaurus_and_Argos_Hoekstra_et_al.pdf |location=Athens}}</ref> which might not have been a problem for Greek actors, who were reputed experts in this aspect.<ref name="guardianMythBusted"/> The acoustic properties are caused both by the physical shape, but also the construction material: the rows of limestone seats filter out low-frequency sounds, such as the murmur of the crowd, and also amplify the high-frequency sounds of the stage.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Declercq |first1=Nico F. |last2=Dekeyser |first2=Cindy S. A. |title=Acoustic diffraction effects at the Hellenistic amphitheater of Epidaurus: Seat rows responsible for the marvelous acoustics |journal=The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America |date=April 2007 |volume=121 |issue=4 |pages=2011–2022 |doi=10.1121/1.2709842|pmid=17471718 |bibcode=2007ASAJ..121.2011D }}</ref>

===Other buildings===

The town of Epidaurus had its own theatre which has been excavated since 1990 and found to be well-preserved. Dating from the 4th c. BC it had about 2000 seats. It has been renovated and is open to the public, as part of a scheme to conserve and enhance ancient theatres which has mapped 140 ancient arenas across Greece.<ref>Resurrecting the ancient little theater of Epidaurus https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1177098/resurrecting-the-ancient-little-theater-of-epidaurus/</ref>

==Municipality==
The municipality Epidavros was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following two former municipalities, that became municipal units:<ref name=Kallikratis/>

*[[Asklipieio]] 
*Epidavros

The municipality has an area of 340.442&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the municipal unit 160.604&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web |url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-21 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
File:The Ancient Stadium of Epidaurus.jpg|Stadion
File:Epiduros, Hestiatorium , 091087.jpg|Gymnasion
The stoa of Abaton or Enkoimeterion at the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus.jpg|Abaton
File:Epidavros Odeio DSC 4028a.jpg|Odeon
File:Terms Epidauros.JPG|Roman baths
File:Bearded Asclepius, statue, AM Epidauros, Epim08.jpg|Statuette of Asclepius 
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[List of ancient Greek cities]]
* [[Callon of Epidaurus]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Epidaurus}}
{{Library resources box |by=no |onlinebooks=yes |others=yes |about=yes |label=Epidaurus
  |viaf= |lccn= |lcheading= |wikititle= }}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/491/ Epidaurus UNESCO Listing]
* [http://www.historvius.com/epidaurus-271/ Epidaurus photos and info]
* [http://www.civilization.org.uk/greece/epidauros/ How the sanctuary was built -the building inscriptions]

{{Ancient Greece topics}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Greece}}
{{Kallikratis-Peloponnese}}
{{Epidaurus div}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Epidaurus| ]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Greece]]
[[Category:Cities in ancient Peloponnese]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek sanctuaries in Greece]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Greece]]
[[Category:Populated places in ancient Argolis]]
[[Category:Asclepius]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Peloponnese (region)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Argolis]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Peloponnese (region)]]