The Forgotten Asclepieion of Peparithos and the Islander Worshippers of the Snake God

Abstract

The ancient Asclepieion of the island of Peparithos, modern Skopelos, had been build in an ideal position, one kilometer from the ancient city of Peparithos. The angry north Aegean Sea brought in the surface its north wall at the beginning of the 60s decade. The monument was identified as an Asclepieion from one partially saved ceramic inscription “ASCL…” (Greek: ΑΣΚΛ…). The sanctuary was surrounded by covered walkway (Greek: στοά) and it is dated at the early years of the fourth century BC. It is possible that god Apollo and goddess Artemis were worshiped in parallel. The monument reflects the culture of Peparitheans and the importance given toward the holistic treatment for the patients. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.