The City-State
General historical information
The Classical city-state of Epidaurus was located on the Northeast coast
of the Peloponnese, adjacent to the modern village Palaia Epidavros. The
ancient city began at the southern outskirts of the modern settlement and
extended eastwards on a narrow peninsula, called Nisi (island) in Middle
Ages, which divided the city port in two parts. The civic and commercial
center was located on the peninsula. 
Additionally, ruins of houses are
still visible at its southern part, on the neck connecting the peninsula
to mainland, where the city's local theater, dating to the 4th c.
BC was also uncovered. The Acropolis (citadel) of the city was located
on the summit above this theater. Although the god Asklepios was worshipped
as their patron and protector, the Epidaurians had dedicated only a sacred
precint to him within the city's limits. The sanctuary proper of Asklipios
was located higher on the mainland, about three hours walking (9 kilometers)
westwards. There, among the mountains, in a green valley with abundant
water, facing west, evolved one of the major post-Classical, Panhellenic
sanctuaries of the Ancient World, centered around a magnificent temple
of Asklepios.
The earliest literally reference to the city of Epidaurus is found in
the Iliad by Homer, in the famous "List of Ships" of the cities that participated
in the Trojan War. Epidaurus is called there "ambeloessa" (i.e. full of
vineyards). During the Archaic period Epidaurus was member of the federation
of city-states around the Sanctuary of Apollo at Kalavria at the west coast
of the Saronic Gulf. Epidaurus took part in all major political conflicts
of ancient history, some times at the side of Corinth, other times at the
side of Athens. By the time the Romans conquered Greece, small Epidaurus
had lost most of its population to Corinth, and had degenerated to a minor
setttement with no political power. During the Imperial Age, the site had
been transformed to a mere sea resort with luxurious villas.