Epidaurus!

Our hotel in Nafplio would not let me on the internet yesterday, so I will have to post two blogs today . . . brace yourself.

We once again started the day with a class at the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies. This time we discussed what were the characteristics that religious ancient Greek shrines shared, as well as, the rules and regulations at those places. We learned what the gods meant to the Greek people and the different kinds of gods existed to them--Olympic gods being the ones that lived in the atmosphere and the chthonic ones that lived on the Earth and had connections both with it and the underworld.

Afterwards, we all piled into the bus for a trip up to Epidaurus: home of the best preserved ancient theater and the famous shrine to Asklepios: the Greek god of medicine. Asklepios is usually portrayed with a full beard (like doctors of the time would wear), holding a wooden staff (also carried by doctors of that time) with a snake winding its way around the staff (snakes symbolized rebirth). Those who were ailing would come to the Asklepios shrine as a last resort and engage in certain rituals that doctors on site would put them through. Usually this included changes in diet, applications of ointments, and some rest, which in and of themselves are quite effective in aiding one's health (and most likely the reason they were healed). The ill people would sleep in a building called the asclepeion and supposedly either a serpent or the god himself would appear in a dream and either tell the person how to be cured or just cure them immediately.

Also at Epidaurus is the most well preserved ancient theater. We were all amazed at its vast size and the incredible acoustics that it possessed. Some of the students on my trip were really going to test out the sound quality, and were just about to sing when the guard lady ran at them blaring a whistle and yelling at them to turn of the music that was playing from Joe's iPod. Well, one couple sitting in the theater was having none of that. They jumped to my fellow students' aid and yelled at the guard saying that they didn't come all the way from South Africa to be denied a performance (I think they were under the impression that perhaps we were an acapella group) and declared that they were going to take it up with her manager.

The gymnasium where people would pay homage to the gods in athletic events during festivals to honor Asklepios.

Part of the building (asclepeion) in which people slept and hoped that Asklepios would come to them in a dream and heal them.

Another view of the same building.

Kitties near the museum.:)

Another sweetie:)

Ancient medical tools used in the Asklepios cult.

Early scalpels.

People who had been healed would make a plaque of the healed body part as well as a description of what was wrong with them and then dedicate it to the god. This person has been suffering from deafness.

A stature of Asklepios--complete with beard, rod, and serpent 

A marvelous decorative carving.

Beautiful Corinthian column.

More lovely carvings.

The immense theater!

Nafplio at sunset.

Also . . . later that night we wandered around downtown until FINALLY, Tyler finally picked a place on the edge of the waterfront. However, he managed to pick THEE restaurant with the most limited menu ever. Most of our group ended up ordering breakfast for dinner from the cafe (which originally wasn't an option; however, the waiter was very nice). While eating we watched the sun set and I made friends with two dogs that were playing with a large stick next to our table.  After that fiasco, we returned to hotel and Lizzie and I went our for a night run through town which was a great way to conclude the day.

Two

• In addition to riding scooters, some Greeks also ride ATVs on the streets.