Well, "spa" might not be entirely accurate, but Greek archeologist Aris Tsaravopoulos will be escavating a site on the island of Kythera that is believed to have been a Spartan sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius. The sanctuary dates from the 5th Century BC, when Kythera was part of Lacedaemon, and initial finds indicate it was built by Lacedaemonians. Such sanctuaries often included hospices and places for the sick to seek treatment, leading one commentator to describe the site on Kythera as "an ancient place of healing."
Anyone who knows the island will agree that Kythera is a uniquely serene yet refreshing place to regain one's strength and energy. The Spartans couldn't have picked a better spot for an ancient spa. I look forward to visiting the archeological site during my next trip back to Kythera this August.
Helena P. Schrader is a scholar of ancient Sparta who has participated in international academic conferences and was a guest speaker in the modern City of Sparti's "Sparta Live!" program. Her novels on ancient Sparta extrapolate from ancient sources to create a credible interpretation of Spartan society.They have won praise from leading academic experts on ancient Sparta and have been translated into Greek and Polish.
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