Dreaming the Divine: Ritual and Architecture at Ancient Greek Healing Sanctuaries of Asklepios Rachel Jennifer Levine A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Art (Ancient Studies) University of Toronto © Copyright by Rachel Jennifer Levine 2008 Library and Bibliotheque et 1*1 Archives Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-39834-0 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-39834-0 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives and Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par Plntemet, prefer, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans loan, distribute and sell theses le monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, worldwide, for commercial or non­ sur support microforme, papier, electronique commercial purposes, in microform, et/ou autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Canada ii Dreaming the Divine: Ritual and Architecture at Ancient Greek Healing Sanctuaries of Asklepios Rachel Jennifer Levine Doctor of Philosophy Department of Art (Ancient Studies) University of Toronto 2008 ABSTRACT: This study examines the relationship between architecture and the ritual of incubation at the ancient Greek healing sanctuaries, especially those dedicated to Asklepios. By highlighting key features of specific sanctuaries, including those at Pergamon, Epidauros, Corinth, and Athens, the study traces the role of architecture in enhancing experience from the macro-level (location of the sanctuary in the environment) to the micro-level (location for incubation). It concludes with the construction of the epiphany of the deity in the patient's atopic dream. Unlike most ancient cults, epiphanic healing requires the patient to make contact with the divinity, an unfamiliar and mythically hazardous undertaking. The architectural and ritual elements of the cult function collectively to facilitate the experience and influence the incubants' thought processes. By creating a network of associations using symbols and architecture, the cult is able to address incubants who have different levels of comprehension and experiences, as well as channel negative cultural perceptions about epiphany into functional ones. The study takes a holistic approach, using both material and textual remains, as both are essential in recreating the complex environment. iii Acknowledgements I wish to offer my deepest gratitude to the people who provided assistance and shared their time with me as I completed this work. You can not have a perfect day unless you do something for someone who can not possibly pay you back. Special thanks to my parents Elliot and Fran, my brother Sam and his wife Merry, my extended family at large, Margaret Miller, Michael Koortbojian, Roger Beck, Margaret Miles, Bjorn Ewald, Joseph Shaw, Maria Shaw, Peter Richardson, John Traill, Malcolm Wallace, Jon Burgess, the Department of Fine Art History at the University of Toronto, Christy Anderson, Ilsa Wister, Joanne Wainman, Gaby Binette, Rohini Wittke, Margaret English, Peggy Haist, Roger McCleary, Kimberley Pixley, Aristo Polyzois, Martina Meyer, the Fine Art History Library, the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto, Marianopolis College, Concordia University, Mt. Allison University, the Mt. Allison University Classics Department, Tufts University, Joanne Philipps, Gregory Crane, the Crake Foundation, the American School of Classical Studies, the YWCA in Athens, the Finnish Institute in Athens, SSHRC, OGS, Pistol, Starbucks on St. Catherine, Esperanza, Minh Nguyen, Haley Waxberg, Erika Bell, Andrea Bruno, Adi Harnik, David Backman, Martin Sexton, the Jimmy Swift Band, the Paramount Lounge, Suzanne Dunwoody, Kris Noseworthy, Kate Bailey, Sandy Bonnano, Christine Kralik, liana Krug and her family, Cyd and Joe Shelby, Marianne Bergeron and Jesse, Nancy Teeple, Dan Reisman, Wendy, Marcus Wilker, Jason Haywood, Laura Brown, CHMA, and anyone else I may have inadvertently forgotten on this list. Namaste. iv Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction I. Introduction 1 II. Overarching Aims 8 III. Specific Aims of Analysis 18 IV. Assumptions and Problems 23 V. Future Applications 26 Chapter 2. On Sanctuary Location Plutarch's Summary 28 I. Antiquity 36 II. Common Topographical Features of the Greek Asklepieia 38 IIIA1. Trends 38 IIIA2. Well-Watered, High Places 41 Ill A3. Outside the City 45 IIIB. Water and Heights as Conduits for Epiphany 63 inc. Heights, Water, and the Locus Amoenus as Criteria 78 V. Tiber Island Asklepieion: A Greek Foundation Story 80 IVA. Plague 84 IVB. Private Founders 89 IVC. Two Types of Approval 97 IVC1. The Sanction of the Oracle 97 IVC2. The Sanction of the Divinity 108 IVD. Pause 114 /. Conclusions 115 Chapter 3. Waiting at the Entryway: Anticipation and Doubt I. The Propylon on the Telemachos Monument 120 II. Anticipation and Doubt 126 IIA. Two Texts Raise Similar Issues 126 IIB. Anticipation, Crowds, Rumors, and Associated Problems 130 IIC. The Crowd at the Gateway 141 IID. Development of Faith and Skepticism 148 III. The Significance of the Propylon 167 III A. Designed for Anticipation and Doubt 167 IIIB. Pergamon's Propylon and Forecourt 167 IIIC. The Propylon on the Telemachos Monument Revisited 173 III. Conclusions 177 Chapter 4. Internal Boundaries I. Division of Sacred Space at Epidauros 179 V IA. The Division of Space in Both Text and Sanctuary Space 179 IB. The Vocabulary Used by Kleo and Pausanias 181 IB1. Hieron 181 IB2. Alsos 188 IC. Archaeological Evidence 190 II. The Division of Space at Other Asklepieia 202 IIA. Kos 202 IIB. Pergamon 205 IIC. Corinth 206 IID. Other Sanctuaries 217 III. Internal Boundaries. Why and Where 221 IIIA. The Deities and Purity 221 IIIB. Purity Restrictions for Each Area of the Sanctuary 224 IIIB1. At the entry - laws for pollution, laws for sacrifice 224 IIIB2. In the a/my 233 IIIB3. Hieron 236 IIIB4. Buildings in the hieron 240 IIIB4a. enkoimeterion, adyton, abaton 240 IIIB4b. The special restrictions of the temple 242 IIIB4c. Where were the iamala located? 254 IV. Conclusions 259 Chapter 5. Incubation and Dreams I. Introduction 261 II. Was the Amphiaraos Plaque intended for an Asklepieion? 264 III. Incubation 276 IIIA. Incubation Overview 276 IIIB. Literary Renderings 278 IIIC. Location 287 HID. Witnesses 293 IV. The Oropos Plaque and the Incubatory Dream 300 IVA. Depicting incubation - observable and conceivable 301 IVB. Depicting epiphany - hierarchical scale, position 310 IVC. Depicting epiphany - medical practices 312 IVD. Depicting epiphany - the divine dream 316 V. The Plaque, lamaton A 17, and Other Parallels 324 Chapter 6. Conclusions and Justifications 329 Works Cited 342 Figures VI Figure List Chapter 1 Fig. 1.1 Asklepios' Attributes in Modern Medical Symbols Chapter 2 Fig. 2.1 Tiber Island Plan Fig. 2.2 Votives from Tiber Island Fig. 2.3 Tiber Island Prow with Asklepios Relief Fig. 2.4 Pergamon City Plan Fig. 2.5 Athens City. General Plan Fig. 2.6 Corinth South Wing of Abaton Building, Section and State Plan Fig. 2.7 Lerna Spring House Section Fig. 2.8 Messene Oikos H Fig. 2.9 Antoninus Pius Medallion Fig. 2.10 Marble Relief from Esquiline Hill - Ostia Ship Fragments, Drawing and Fragments Fig. 2.11 Telemachos Monument Side B Fig. 2.12 Isopata Ring Bezel Fig. 2.13 Kato Zakros Rhyton Fig. 2.14 Peak Sanctuary Votives from Site of Atsipadhes Chapter 3 Fig. 3.1 Telemachos Monument Side B Fig. 3.2 Telemachos Monument Side A Fig. 3.3 Travlos' Plan of Athens Asklepieion Vll Fig. 3.4 Pergamon Propylon Elevation (East Side Restoration of Gable and Pergamon Propylon Restoration of West Side) Fig. 3.5 Pergamon Forecourt and Propylon Plan Chapter 4 Fig. 4.1 Epidauros Plan Fig. 4.2 Epidauros Hieron Fig. 4.3 Epidauros Exedrae Fig. 4.4 Messene Asklepieion and Votives Fig. 4.5 Messene Elevation Fig. 4.6 Messene Temple and Votive Bases Fig. 4.7 Messene Votive Bases by Artemis Shrine Fig. 4.8 Epidauros. Sanctuary Y. Fig. 4.9 Epidauros. Structure 0. Fig. 4.10 Epidauros. Sanctuary P. Fig. 4.11 Shrine of Artemis at Messene. Fig. 4.12 Asklepieion at Kos Photo Fig. 4.13 Kos Asklepieion Plan Fig. 4.14 Pergamon Asklepieion Plan Fig. 4.15A Corinth Asklepieion and Lerna Spring State Plan Fig. 4.15B Corinth Asklepieion. Lerna Level Restoration. Hellenistic Period Fig. 4.15C Corinth Asklepieion. Asklepieion Restoration. Hellenistic Period Fig. 4.16 Corinth Asklepieion Vlll Fig. 4.17 Lerna Spring House Fig. 4.18 Corinth Asklepieion South Wing of the Abaton Building. Cutaway Plan and State Plan. Fig. 4.19 Troezen Asklepieion Fig. 4.20 Delos Asklepieion Fig. 4.21 Gortys Asklepieion Fig. 4.22 Aliphera Asklepieion Fig. 4.23 Pernik, Thrace Asklepieion Fig.