The ancient theatre of Dionysos in Athens is discussed herein regard to (a) its placement beside the City Asklepieion and (b) its functionwithin the framework of the cult of Asklepios. Archaeological and epigraphic data suggest that musical and drama contests, philosophical poetry competitions, paeans, “mystic dramas” and performative rituals were held in the theatre in honor of Asklepios. This paper intends to show that the Athenianswere the first to realize that music and drama played an important role in theprocess of healing. Therefore, the healing sanctuary of Asklepios was founded near the theatre of Dionysos on the south slope of the Acropolis at Athens.From then on, many cities followed the example of Athens and included a theatre in or next to an Asklepieion.
