Ancient Greek temple Asklepion

An ancient Greek temple dedicated to Asclepius, the founder of medicine. It was founded during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 b.c.) and perhaps its appearance was connected with the plague, because of which from 429 to 427 b.c. Athens was half deserted. In Athens, Asklepion was built on the initiative of a certain Telemachus of Acharnes in 420-419 b.c. Asklepions were not only cult buildings, but also medical institutions. In essence, the temple served as a hospital, much like a hospital in modern times. Asklepios had a significant impact on the development of medicine in Ancient Greece. The priests of Asklepion, Asklepiades were engaged in the treatment of the sick. At the initial stages, it consisted in performing certain rituals. The patient had to spend the night in Asklepion, after which he had to tell about his dreams to the priest and on the basis of the dream the treatment was prescribed. It was also the duty of the priests to draw up tables (the patient's book), in which they described the patient's illnesses and the therapeutic measures taken and what results they led to. Thus, the Asklepiads contributed to the accumulation of medical knowledge in the temples, which were called Asklepions, in honor of their founder Asklepios.