[94] Why is the shrine of Aesculapius[217] outside the city?
Is it because they considered it more healthful to spend their time outside the city than within its walls? In fact the Greeks, as might be expected, have their shrines of Asclepius situated in places which are both clean and high.
Or is it because they believe that the god carne at their summons from Epidaurus, and the Epidauria. have their shrine of Asclepius not in the city, but at some distance?
Or is it because the serpent carne out from the trireme into the island,[218] and there disappeared, and thus they thought that the god himself was indicating to them the site for building?