ASCLEPIEIA
ASCLEPIEIA (
ἀσκληπίεια), the
name of festivals which were probably celebrated in all places where temples
of Asklepios (Aesculapius) existed. The most celebrated, however, was that
of Epidaurus, which took place in the grove of Asklepios every fifth year,
and was solemnised with contests of rhapsodists and musicians, and with
solemn processions and games. The solemnity took place nine days after the
Isthmian games. (Schol.
ad
Pind. N. 3.145;
Paus.
2.26.7.)
Ἀσκληπίεια are also
mentioned at Lampsacus (Böckh,
Corp. Inscr. vol. ii.
p. 1131), and at Athens (Aeschin. c.
Ctesiph. § 67),
which were probably, like those of Epidauros, solemnised with musical
contests. They took place on the eighth day of the month of Elaphebolion.
[
L.S]
