Problems with Some Buildings in the Sanctuary of Epidauros: The “Stele of the Punishments”

A rare glimpse into ancient Greek legal accountability emerges from the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, where the earliest surviving record of an architect's liability—dated to around 360 BCE—reveals consequences for inadequate planning. The 'Stele of the Punishments' details two cases: one against architect Perillos for flawed column positioning in a stoa and another involving ivory carver Pasiteles, both providing unprecedented insight into Classical Greek jurisprudence. This multidisciplinary study integrates epigraphy, archaeology, and legal history to reconstruct the events, offering a unique perspective on ancient construction practices and their societal implications.

Prignitz, S., & Thür, G. (2025). Problems with Some Buildings in the Sanctuary of Epidauros: The “Stele of the Punishments”. Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 94(2), 185–223. https://doi.org/10.2972/hes.2025.a963375