lesson 4- the healing cult of asclepius Flashcards
what were the three reasons that the healing sight at Epidaurus attracted so many people?
-healthy climate
-skilled physicians
-mineral springs
which literary source first mentions Asclepius?
The illiad- which was believed to be composed by Homer in the 8th century BC
There are various versions of the myth of Asclepius, but what points do all the accounts seem to agree on
the fact that asclepius was a mortal
How did two snakes help Asclepius discover a healing herb that could bring the dead back to life?
Asclepius was given the task of restoring the life of a man named glaucus. Whilst he was pondering on what to do, a snake crept near his staff, but Asclepius didn’t know what to do so he killed it by hitting it repeatedly. After a while, another snake came to him with a herb in his mouth and placed it on the head of the dead snake, after which both escaped. Asclepius used the same herb to bring glaucus back to life.
what was the name of the man that asclepius had to bring back to life?
Glaucus
Who did the medical guild, known as the Asclepiads, claim to be descended from?
the sons of Asclepius
How far did the healing cult of Asclepius spread in the ancient world?
it spread all the to Rome- we know this from archeological evidence (An altar dedicated to Ascleipus from the romans has been found at the sanctuary of Ascleopius at Epidarus)
What sort of places were sanctuaries dedicated to Asclepius located?
they were usually located in healthy places e.g on hills outside of towns or near wells that were believed to have healing powers.
Who was the sanctuary at Epidaurus dedicated to before Asclepius?
apollo
Why was the snake sacred to Asclepius?
Because the snake brought glaucus back alive, and also because it was associated with healing in general and snakes were further believed to be guardians of wells with healing powers.
How often was the Panhellenic Asclepia festival held at Epidaurus?
every four years
What did someone experience when they came to the panhellenic Asclepia festival for healing?
First, one would need to go through Katharsis (purification) This involved taking a number of ritual baths, and doing a cleansing diet, which could last as long as six days.
- Then, once you were considered pure, you were ready to be diagnosed and receive prescriptions.This was done through “incubatio”, a sort of dream therapy. Patients would be led into the “Enkoimeterion”, or dormitory, where they would be put into a hypnotic state. As they slept, they would be visited by either Asclepius himself, or one of his children, who would reveal a remedy for their disease.
What would those healed offer to the god in thanks?
A sacrifice consisting of either a rooster or a goat or a votive offering of an image of what the god had healed.
How is Asclepius defined in the Iliad?
as a hero
According to Homer, who was Asclepius trained by and what role did he and his sons have?
He was taught by the centaur chiron, and he brings his sons along to help heal the most seriously wounded of the Greek warriors
according to some legends, who was Asclepius’ father?
Apollo
how did Asclepius become to be worshipped as a god rather than a hero/mortal?
-is healing cult became increasingly popular
-many legends suggested he was the son of the god Apollo
Why is it unsurprising that the Athenians erected an Asclepieion in Athens in 420BC?
because a few years before, a plague had devestated the city
What is the most famous sanctuary of Asclepius from the 5th century BC?
The asclepieion at Epidaurus
why did people come to Epidaurus to Asclepius’ sanctuaries?
to be treated for an illness
In what different ways could people be healed?
they could be healed instantly, cured whilst they slept in the sanctuary or through surgery instructed by a god, exercise outside of the sanctuary, perscriptions and medicines, and exercise that you had done in your sleep
What was kept next to the bathing and healing facilities and why?
The snakes of the gods, their poison supposedly cured several illnesses and they were also related to Asclepius
What is our most commonly occuring piece of evidence for the cult of Asclepius?
Votive offerings such as as the inscriptions and relief depicting a leg
What evidence do we have for ‘miracles’ in ancient Greece?
Votive inscriptions to healing deities such as asclepius- their display helped legitimise the healing cults
What literary and archaeological evidence do we have for the healing sanctuary of Amphiareios at Oropos near Athens?
an altar inscribed with the names of 14 different gods and heroes, a koimeterion used for incubation, a theatre building, seperate bath buildings for men and women and a fountain house.
why was the sanctuary of Ascleipus at Epidarus considered to be the most famous?
- It was believed to be the birthplace of Asclepius himself
- there was a variety of different treatments that could be offered within its large complex- aside from incubation (dream therapy), pilgrims could also be given pharmaeceutical drugs and remedies, and could even undergo surgical treament, evident due to scalpels, lancels and other instruments found there.
What was the second major sanctuary that Asclepius was worshipped?
The sanctuary of Ascleipus at Kos, which was a school for physicians
