Epidauros, Abaton (Dormitory) (Building)

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Context:	Epidauros
Type:	Stoa
Summary:	Two part stoa; forming part of northwest boundary of the central Sanctuary of Asklepios, north of the Temple of Asklepios.
Date:	ca. 400 BC - 350 BC
Dimensions:	38.07 m x ca. 9.42 m; Ionic outer column diameter: 0.6 m, intercolumniation: 2.35 m; Ionic inner column diameter: 0.6 m, intercolumniation: 4.7 m; length after extension: 70.92 m; balustrade height: 1.6 m ; Doric pilaster spacing: 2.35 m; octagonal inner pillar diameter: 0.62 m, intercolumniation: 4.7 m.
Region:	Argolid
Period:	Late Classical

Plan:

Two part stoa. Earlier eastern section was a two-aisled stoa opening south with Ionic inner and outer colonnades. The later, western extension was two-storied; the lower level reached by an outside staircase to a court on its southern side. The extended stoa had 29 Ionic columns on the southern face and 13 inner columns. Octagonal pillars in the lower level. The lower floor of the western extension was enclosed by a wall with doors and decorated with Doric pilasters. A stone balustrade filled the openings between the Ionic columns of the upper level. There were probably wooden dividers between the inner columns of both stoas.

History:

Also known as the Enkoimeterion, the stoa was used as a dormitory for those awaiting Asklepios' advice. The later two-storied western extension was probably Roman.

Other Bibliography:

Faraklas 1972, 13-14; Coulton 1976, 237-238; PECS, 313