ASCLEPEIA, a festival of Æsculapius (Ἀσκληπιός), the god of physic, observed particularly at Epidaurus every five years, where it was attended with a contest between the poets and musicians, whence it was likewise called Ἱερός Ἀγῶν, the sacred contention. It was celebrated on the eighth day of the month Elaphebolion (March).