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Kos 273 pictures 10.5 minutes HQ video Asklepieion The Asklepieion on Kos was discovered at the beginning of the 20^th century. The site is laid out on three terraces: The Site Lowest Terrace: The lowest terrace was bounded on the western, northern and eastern sides by a stoa in the shape of the Greek letter. To the east was a complex of Roman baths dating from the 3^rd century A.D., of which remains of wall-paintings and floor mosaics survive. Roman Baths During the Roman period, recesses were formed in the retaining wall supporting the second terrace, and in one of these a spring and water cistern are preserved to the present day. To the west of the staircase leading up to the second terrace is a recess in the form of a small temple, in which there is a base of a statue (probably of Nero), dedicated by Gaius Stertinius Xenophon of Kos, personal doctor of the emperors Tiberius, Claudius and Nero. Second terrace: On the second terrace are the remains of a large altar, the earliest structure in the Asklepieion. The altar was built in about the middle of the 4^th century B.C., and its sculptural decoration, of which virtually nothing has survived, is thought to have been the work of the sons of Praxiteles. To the west of the altar is the earliest temple of Asklepieion, in the Ionic order dating from the 3^rd century B.C. Temples To the south is preserved a building that has been identified with the priests' residence of the "abaton"- the place in which the sick waited for Asklepieion to appear to them in their dreams and heal them -, behind which can be seen the entrance to the sacred spring. To the east of the altar is a small Roman temple in the Corinthian order dating from the 2^nd century A.D. Third terrace: On the third terrace stands the large Doric temple of Asklepieion, which dates from the 2^nd century B.C. and is enclosed by L - shaped stoa. In the early Christian period a church called the Panayia Tarsou was erected in the pronaos of the temple. All that now survive of this church is an early Christian capital, once used as an altar. DoricTemple of Asklepios The name "Tarsou" is believed to be a corruption of the words 'tou alsous' ("of the grove") with reference to the grove of cypress trees all around the Asklepieion, in which Apollo Kyparissios was originally worshipped before Asklepios. Ancient City The Harbor The Agora The Western Gymnasion The Odeon Houses with Mosaics Back to Greece Index