Extract

One of the small states of the Argolic Acte, on a peninsula of the Saronic Gulf with evidence of occupation in the late bronze age. By the Classical period it was recognized as a *Dorian community, at times probably subject to *Argos (1); grazing dues payable to the Argive-controlled temple of *Apollo Pythaeus, non-payment of which in 419 bce led to war between Argos and Epidaurus, are not to be regarded as evidence of political dependence.There are remains of walls on the site of Epidaurus: the best-preserved monument is its theatre. More significant is the sanctuary of Asclepius some 7 km. (4½ mi.) inland, towards Argos, near a small sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas, with a small Doric temple: the small sanctuary of Apollo was enlarged c.330 bce with a massive terrace wall. The healing-cult of Apollo's son *Asclepius, elevated to divine status, seems to have been given particular impetus by the effects of the *plague at the time of the Peloponnesian War, developing considerably in the 4th cent.