2016/06/01 by Roy van Wijk
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Aesthetics #Alliance #Ancient Near East History #Ancient history #Classical Antiquity Studies #Classics #Consolidation (business) #Cult #Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies #History #Interpretation (philosophy) #Law #Negotiation #Period (music) #Philosophy #Political science #Politics #Symbol (formal)
paper · doi:10.1515/klio-2016-0003
crossref issued 2016/06/01 · crossref published 2016/06/01 · crossref published-print 2016/06/01 · openalex publication_date 2016/06/01 · crossref published-online 2016/06/20 · crossref created 2017/07/24 · crossref deposited 2024/06/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21 · crossref indexed 2026/08/02
Summary This article discusses the Athenian introduction of the Epidaurian Asklepios in 420 / 19 B. C., from the perspective of the international relations in the Classical Period. Contacts between Athens and Epidauros had existed since the early Archaic Period and continued during the Peloponnesian War, which enabled both poleis to cooperate on this particular instance. The delicate equilibrium between the Spartan and Athenian alliance that the Peace of Nikias encompassed was the outcome of changes in the political atmosphere in both camps, as politicians striving towards rapprochement and consolidation accumulated sufficient influence. Instead of regarding the cultic foundation as the result of Athenian imperialist design, the Athenian introduction of Asklepios must be regarded as a symbol of reconciliation between Athens and Epidauros that demonstrates the utilisation of sanctuaries to obtain political goals besides imperial aims.