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Geographical Description
Cos is a large, fertile island located 2.5 miles (4 km) off the coast of
Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The island is 23 miles (37 km) long from west
to east, up to 5 miles (8 km) wide north to south, and has a circumference
of 65 miles (105 km). The total area of the island is 111 square miles (287
sq km). The highest point is Mount Dikeos, with an elevation of 3,000 feet
(900 m). |
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Cos in Jewish History
Cos figured in the time of the Maccabees when Rome sent with the Hasmonean
officials returning home a letter of safe conduct addressed to the
magistrates of Cos (Josephus Ant. 14.10.15 §233). Jewish presence
on the island in the Roman period is confirmed by an edict given by Julius
Caesar in favor of the Jews. Not long after, Herod the Great donated money
to support the office of gymnasiarch at Cos (Josephus War 1.21.11
§424). Another inscription from Cos mentions Herod Antipas (Richardson
1999: 208). In 32 BC, the island was annexed to the Roman province of Asia. |
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Hippocrates
The first person in the ancient world to classify diseases, Hippocrates
founded the first medical school on Cos in the 5th century BC. According to
legend, his father was a direct descendant of the god Asclepius. |
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Asclepium
A temple complex to the healing god Asclepius was built on Cos beginning in
the 4th century BC. The Asclepium (= Asclepius Temple) was built in stages
over several centuries, but all are dated after the time of the island’s
famous doctor, Hippocrates. The Asclepium benefited from the island’s
temperate climate and hot springs. These springs, rich in sulfur and iron,
were first used by Hippocrates (ca. 460-370 BC) to cure visitors. |
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