There was a good paper on this topic at a joint session of the American
Philological Assn-Archaeological Inst. of Americal meeting a couple of
years ago (if memory serves, which it sometimes doesn't). The writer took
Corinth as the subject, and noted that early Christian burials at a
precinct of Asclepius were an attempt to christianize the site. At any
rate, it seems to have worked, for the site ceased to be used for the
worship of Asclepius soon after the Christian burials were placed in or
near it. Of course, this may be an example of a post hoc, propter hoc
fallacy. I could try to locate the reference tomorrow, if anyone cares.
Best wishes,
MW
Mark Williams Internet: [log in to unmask]
Classics Department Voice: (616) 957-6293
Calvin College Fax: (616) 957-8551
Grand Rapids, MI
USA 49546
"Ideo nobis non subrepat superbia, quasi pro nostris meritis
aliquid acceperimus, dum filii irae fuimus." -Alcuin
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