Editing Epidaurus (section)

=== 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}}
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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.