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AGORA
The broad area in front of the Theatre
was the Commercial Agora of Ephesus.
Completely surrounded by columns, this
Agora contained three entrances, one
from the Celsus Library, one from the
front of the Theatre, and one from the
Harbour. In the form of a square 110
metres on a side, the north side of the
Agora is left open, while the remaining
three sides are surrounded by a portico
which contained shops. The eastern and
southern sides of the Agora were
two-storeyed, the second storey of the
eastern side being constructed in the
form of an enclosed Doric stoa.
Originally built in the Hellenistic
Period, the Agora was reconstructed in
the 3rd century during the reign of
Caracalla (211-217 A.D.). At the centre
of the Agora was a sundial and a
water-clock. The centre of the square
was faced in marble and contained
statues of the philosophers, statesmen,
and of scholars.
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AQUEDUCT OF SEXTILIUS POLLIO
This aqueduct, which brought water to
Ephesus, was constructed between 7 -15
AD. on orders by Sextilius Pollio. The
structure is 3.5 kilometers in length
and is today located at Derbent Creek,
six miles from the Selçuk-Aydýn highway.
It presents a magnificent view as it
climbs up the slopes of Derbent along
the creek. This two-storeyed structure
at Derbent brought water from Marnas to
the large fountain on the southwest of
the State Agora in the present ruins of
Ephesus.
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ARCADIAN
STREET
This street extending from the baths to
the Theatre is called the Arcadian
Street. Originally built in the late
Hellenistic Period, the street was
restored during the reign of the Emperor
Arcadius (395-408 AD.), from whom it
takes its present name. There were
galleries and shops all along either
side of the street, which is 530 metres
long and 11 metres wide. In the centre
section is a structure containing four
high columns, an element of decoration
which was constructed in the 6th century
AD. Along either side were gates in the
form of monumental arches. Since this
street extended to the harbour, it was
also referred to as "Harbour Street".
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ARTEMISSION
To the right of the road leading to
Kuþadasý can be seen the ruins of the
Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world.
Artemis, the virgin goddess of nature,
and protectress of women in childbirth
is mentioned in the Iliad with the
phrase: Praise be to Artemis! She, who
would water her horses at the
reed-filled Meles river, then pass
speedily through Smyrna on her golden
chariot towards the vineyards of
Coloros."
The mention of Smyrna in this
description would suggest that the
goddess Artemis is of Anatolian origin.
At another point in his Iliad, Homer
gives the birthplace of Artemis as
Ortygie. Ortygie" means quail in ancient
Greek, and might also have been related
to the Mount Nightingale (Bülbüldað)
which was the site of the original city
of Ephesus. Furthermore, the Ephesians
at one point had a resolution passed in
the Roman senate stating that their
place of origin was Ortygie, and Artemis
their patron goddess. It is perhaps for
this reason that the Ephesians erected
such a magnificent temple to this
goddess. Artemis is not, in fact, a word
of Greek origin, but a derivative of
"artems", meaning "untouched", or
'unspoiled' in an ancient local tongue.
In Ephesus, Artemis was considered as
one and the same as Cybele, the goddess
from whom the land of Anatolia is said
to have been born. She is depicted as a
multi breasted figure with many facets,
and bears the model of a temple on her
head, in the form of a crown. This
triple-storeyed crown indicates that she
is the protector of cities, while the
crescent on her forehead indicates that
she is the moon goddess. The breasts, at
the same time, link her to the fertility
cult. Artemis also bore the symbol of
the bee, the emblem of Ephesus, which
indicates that she is a unique product
of Anatolian mythology. The ruined
Artemision contained a total of 127
columns, the 36 façade columns being
decorated with reliefs. It was 115
metres long, 55 metres wide and 18
metres high.
The earliest traces of the Artemision
building date to the 7th century B.C.
The original temple was destroyed by the
Cimmerians, and was re-built during the
6th century B.C Destroyed once more
during the reign of the mad king
Herostratos in the year 356 B.C, Ephesus
began to rebuild its cult centre on an
even grander scale after that date.
Alexander passed through Ephesus at
about that time and learning that the
temple had been destroyed and burnt down
on his birthday, he expressed the Desire
to assist with its re-construction.
He wished, the new temple to be
dedicated to him. But the Ephesians
could not assent to this and undertook
the reconstruction of the temple without
his aid. The new temple of Artemis
measured 105 metres by 55 metres, and
was 25 metres in height, covering an
area 6000 square metres in all.
Alexander extended the temenos to
include an inhabitated area around the
temple as part of the sacred compound.
This sacred area was preserved through
the rule of several different kings and
governors, was expanded and finally
abolished by the emperor Augustus. In
263 AD., the temple was sacked and
destroyed during the invasion of the
Goths.
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BATHS
OF SCHOLASTIKA
The Baths of Scholastikia, which are
located behind the Temple of Hadrian,
were entered by means of a stairway
alongside the temple. The statue seen in
the large hall on the west belongs to a
wealthy Scholastikia, who had the baths
reconstructed in the 4th century AD. The
public toilets and brothel located
alongside the structure were first
constructed along with the baths in the
Ist century A.D. It is believed that the
baths consisted of three storeyed. An
extensive hall which would have been the
second storey has been uncovered along
with another room to its north and a
tiled roof.
The room in which the statue of
Scholastikia was located used as a
dressing room, and it extends to the
stuccoed hot room (caldarium) on the
north. On the left is the cold room
(frigidarium). The marble floor of the
caldarium is built over brick supports,
and under it flowed hot water from the
baths' furnaces on the left. The
frigidarium contained a swimming pool,
and was located alongside the dressing
room. The baths could house a thousand
customers, and contained a library and
entertainment rooms. There is also a
doorway opening onto the street leading
to the Theatre on the east slope.
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BATHS OF
VARIUS
To the east of the Basilica is a large
structure built of cut blocks of marble
known as the Baths of Varius. Built with
its north and east walls carved from
natural outcroppings of rock, the baths
were constructed in the 2nd century AD.
and restored on numerous occasions, of
which the 40 metres long corridor
covered with mosaics from the 5th
century is in evidence. With its
frigidarium, tepidarium and caldarium,
and other adjacent sections, the baths
covers a fairly large area. To the south
of the baths is a large public toilet
from the Roman Period and other
structures which were unearthed during
excavations in 1969.
This structure was possibly a gymnasium
and Vedia Faedrina, daughter of Vedius
Antonius, one of the wealthy citizens of
Ephesus, and the famous sophist P.
Flavius Daminianus each had a room added
to the structure. The building uderwent
major alterations during the Byzantine
Period.
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BASILICA
The Basilica, which starts from the
Gymnasium before the Odeion and extends
to the foundation chambers on the west
was originally devoted to commerce,
having been constructed as an exchange.
The Basilica was constructed in three
sections during the reign of Augustus
over a gallery with a single hall, which
was located during the Hellenistic
period. This is a typical Roman
basilica, one unusual feature of which
is columns, most of which were restored
and installed here.
Its location next to the State Agora
permitted commercial transactions to be
carried out more rapidly. It has been
established that to the east of the
Basilica there was a stoa, which
underwent major alterations. From here,
there were three entrances to the
Basilica of which the largest was in the
middle. It was here that the statues of
Augustus and his wife Livia, on display
in the Ephesus Museum, were found. The
Basilica is 165 metres long and contains
columns with typical 1st century A.D.
bulls' heads and Ionian capitals.
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BROTHEL
A peristyle house behind the Hadrian
Temple is known as the brothel. It was
built as part of a group of buildings,
including the Baths of Scholastikia and
lavatories, during the time of Trajan
(98-117 AD.). Its function was
established with the discovery of an
inscription in the lavatories. Entering
from the Marble Road, a street sign in
the form of a foot engraved on stone
indicates its existance. A second
entrance gives access from the Street of
Curettes. The group of buildings of
which it is a part underwent restoration
in the 4th century A.D. It is a
two-storeyed building, with a large hall
on the ground floor,surmounted by a
number of small rooms on the floor
above, although these are now ruined.
There are traces of frescos on the
walls. The western hall wasa dining
room, and contains a mosaic depicting
the four seasons. This flanks the two
main chambers of the baths. The
elliptical pool contains a mosaic in the
centre depicting three women drinking, a
servant standing, a mouse nibbling
crumbs and a cat. The statue of priapos,
with outsize phallus, now on display in
the Ephesus Museum, was found in a well
to one end of the building.
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CELSUS
LIBRARY
One of the finest structures in Ephesus,
the Celsus Library has recently been
restored. Raised on a high plinth, the
building is approached via a broad
flight of steps.
It was built by the Consul Gaius Julius
Aquila in 135 AD. as a heroon in honour
of his father, Celsus Polemaeanus, the
governor of Asia Minor. The façade is
highly ornamented on two levels, and
there are three main portals. Over the
portals were columns and statues
arranged in niches. These statues were
female figures representing the virtues
wisdom, fate and intellegence. Niches on
the interior of the building were
designeo to hold books. The tomb of
Celsus was placed in a crypt below the
central large niche.
According to the inscription on the
architrave of the building, its patron,
C.Aquila, died before it was completed,
and the construction was carried on by
his heirs. Aquila left 25 thousand dinar
for the acquisition of books for the
library.
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CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN
St. John lived here with the Virgin Mary
after being cast out of Jerusalem in
37-42 A.D. according to legend, and it
is thought to be here that St.John wrote
his gospel, and was buried in the church
bearing his name in accordance with his
dying wishes. A wooden basilica was
first constructed on the site, above his
grave, in the 4th century A.D., which
was replaced in the 5th century by the
present church, built during the reign
of the Byzantine emperor, Justinian
(577-565 A.D.).
During the 7th and 8th centuries,
Ephesus was under constant siege by the
Arabs, when the church was surrounded by
a wall, which varied in structure over
the years, but possessed 20 towers and
three gates. The grand portal is the
gate now used by visitors. The two other
gates are to the east and west. The
walls were built with stones taken from
the Gymnasium of Ephesus, as if in
revenge for the Christians thrown to the
lions in that stadium during the first
years of Christianity. The Church is
entered via the main portal dating to
the 6th century, which consists of an
arched entrance flanked by two towers,
leading to a small atrium where one may
see inscriptions related to the Church,
which were uncovered there during
excavations. This atrium, which measures
34x47 m. is on the western front, and
consists of a central court surrounded
by an arched portico with a balustraded
gallery to "the exterior. A number of
amphora dating from various periods are
to be seen in the centre of the court. A
three celled cistern is buried below the
western portal, and covered with a
vault. This is buttressed with flanking
walls to compensate for the curve of the
site.
Between the atrium and the nave of the
church is a long narrow narthex. Massive
lentils of dressed marble frame the
three doors leading to the atrium and
into the nave from the narthex. A wall
and a number of portals were added
between the atrium and the narthex at a
later date, to create an exonarthex.
Five cupola surmount the narthex itself.
The main church is cruciform in plan, a
classic plan with three naves, and a
superstructure of six, large domes over
the main nave, with vaulted flanking
naves. The domes were originally
supported by marble and brickbond piers,
still partially in situ, with a row of
blue-veined marble columns lining the
Church between the naves. The monograms
of Theodora, wife of Justinian, are
engraved on these columns, which enables
us to date the structure. The above
mentioned rows of Columns are joined by
a series of arches which in turn support
a second row of arches at gallery level.
The mausoleum chamber is situated before
the apse in the central nave, and is
marked out by being raised from the rest
of the nave, with two steps between.
A chapel, originally part of the
treasury in the court, was converted for
devotional use in the 10th century. The
frescos of St. John, Christ and other
sacred figures are contained in the
apse. The treasury is reached via a gate
immediately before it. This is a
centrally-planned chamber, 6.30 m. in
diameter, fronted by an absidal vaulted
hall and flanked by a chapel. The main
chamber is sub-divided by a cruciform
plan, into a series of cells, each
containing vaulted niches. It is a
two-course building surmounted
originally by a dome, now in ruins. The
baptistery is reached via a portal
letting into the forehall of the
treasury. It is connected to the Church
via a long narrow corridor running
parallel to the northern nave. The
baptismal pool dates to the 6th century,
and was originally a tomb.
The plan of the Baptistery is somewhat
complex. The main chamber is octagonal
in plan, and is framed by a narrow
corridor and flanked on two sides by
absidal-planned halls. The main
baptistery is paved with marble, with
the pool in the centre. The baptistery
predates the Justinian church, being
built in the 5th century.
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CHURCH OF THE VIRGIN MARY
Situated next to the Harbour Corn
Exchange, this is the first church to be
dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was
also where the Third Ecumenical Council
was held in 431 A.D., and so is
considerably important to the
development of Christian dogma.
The building in which it is housed,
which is 260 m. in length and 30 m. in
width, was used for scientific training,
and for the theological training of the
priests of Ephesus. The plan is that of
a triple naved building, and in the 4th
century the church was converted into a
basilica with a central nave flanked by
two aisles, when an apse was opened in
the eastern I wall, and a Baptisterium
added to the north side of an atrium to
the west of the church. The central nave
is the same width as the apse, while the
flanking aisles are somewhat smaller.
They are separated from the nave by two
rows of columns, with geometric-designed
balustrade panels between. There are
mosaics on the floor of the narthex, to
the western tip of the building,
decorated with geometrical patterns,
while the Atrium, which has one absidal
wall is paved with stones of various
kinds. The Baptisterium is circular in
plan, and contains the baptismal pool in
the centre. During the reign of the
emperor Justinian (527 -565), further
alterations led to the construction of a
centrally-planned chapel surmounted by a
single dome, between the apse and the
narthex of the original church.
The cauldron in the centre was brought
there from the Harbour Baths. In the
10th century a further church was added
to the eastern front, with a small
chapel being added to the southern tip
of the church The council meeting held
in this church in 431 agreed to accept
as dogma the notion that Jesus, the son
of the Virgin Mary was also the Son of
God.
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EPHESUS
MUSEUM
The excavations which have been
continueing since the last century at
Ephesus, today are being carried out by
Austrian archaeologists. The works
unearthed during these excavations are
being displayed at the Ephesus Museum
(Pictures). However the works obtained
in excavations prior to World War II,
were taken to the Vienna Museum. The
works museum which formerly was situated
in a small building, the new building
was further enlarged in 1979 to the
present size of today's Ephesus Museum.
The works brought from the ruins of
Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, the
Ayasoluk Hill and the Belevi Mausoleum
are being displayed in this museum. All
of these are spread out in seven
different halls. The first hall is for
household findings. Here, the frescoes
found in the homes of Ephesus and the
mosaics among which the head of Medusa
and Dionysos of 5th century take place,
draw attention. The most remarkable one
is the fresco of Sokrates, the famous
philosopher, made in 1st century A.D.
Again the head of Sokrates made out of
marble in 3rd century A.D. is also being
exhibited in this hall. Another
remarkable work in this hall which is on
display in a showcase and made in form
of the fountain of a pool is the small
Statue of Eros with Dolphin which
belongs to the 2nd century A.D. The
waters are being poured out of the eyes
of dolphin into the pool. Statues of
Asklepios, the God of Health, of
Artemis, small statue of the Egyptian
monk of 6th century B.C. and the Statue
of Bes, made out of baked soil in 2nd
century AD., symbolizing fertility are
the favourite works of this hall. The
most attractive one among the statues
and heads of Eros, taking place in this
hall, is the Roman Copy of Eros' head
made by Lysippos in the Hellenistic
period. Next to the child Eros' head,
found in Bouleuterion, the portrait bust
of Menander, the comedy writer takes
place.
Busts of Emperor Tiberius and the
Empress Livia, Statue of Artemis and the
bronze human head of Roman period are
some of the other works of this hall.
From this hall, it is proceeded into a
hall where findings of a small door and
a fountain take place. The first work on
the right hand side is the head of Zeus
of 1st century B.C Next to this, the
statue of Aphrodisias of 1st century
A.D. and in the centre the statue of a
resting warrior of I st century A.D.
take place. On the left hand side of the
same hall, the statue group of
Polyphemos and Odysseus of 1st century
A.D. can be seen. These works initially
placed on the frontal of the Temple of
Augustus, later were moved to the
Fountain of Pollio. On the ground, the
friends of Odysseus killed by the giant
and on the side, Odysseus carrying a
stake to take the giant's eye out are
seen. Right across from this group the
statues of Trajan Fountain take place.
Here statues of young Dionysus of 2nd
century A.D., of Satyr in laying
position (2nd century A.D.)and of
Dionysus and imperial family by the wall
are exhibited. On the other side of this
hall, are the statues of Laecanius
Bassus Fountain, also called the Water
Palace. On the wall, the Roman copies of
the head of a warrior with helmet and
the head of Lysimachos of 5th century
B.C are some of the works which draw
attention.
Ephesus Artemision Church of St.John
Isabey Mosque Plan of Ephesus Cave of
the Seven Sleepers State Agora -
Aqueduct of Sextilius Pollio Odeion
(Bouleuterion) - Baths of Varius
Prytaneion (Municipal Hall) Basilica -
Fountain of Laecanius Bassus Fountain of
Pollio Temple of Domitian Memmius
Monument Victory Arch with Reliefs of
Hercules Street of the Curretes Fountain
of Trajan Temple of Hadrian Round Tower
- Baths of Scholastikia Brothel Terrace
Houses Celsus Library Agora Gate of
Mazaeus and Mithridates at the agora
Marble way Arcadian Street - Ephesus
Theatre Stadium - Harbour Baths Church
of the Virgin Mary Vedius Gymnasium
Harbour Gymnasium and Verulanus Baths
House of the Virgin Mary Ephesus Museum
The excavations which have been
continueing since the last century at
Ephesus, today are being carried out by
Austrian archaeologists. The works
unearthed during these excavations are
being displayed at the Ephesus Museum.
However the works obtained in
excavations prior to World War II, were
taken to the Vienna Museum. The works
museum which formerly was situated in a
small building, the new building was
further enlarged in 1979 to the present
size of today's Ephesus Museum. The
works brought from the ruins of Ephesus,
the Temple of Artemis, the Ayasoluk Hill
and the Belevi Mausoleum are being
displayed in this museum. All of these
are spread out in seven different halls.
The first hall is for household
findings. Here, the frescoes found in
the homes of Ephesus and the mosaics
among which the head of Medusa and
Dionysos of 5th century take place, draw
attention. The most remarkable one is
the fresco of Sokrates, the famous
philosopher, made in 1st century A.D.
Again the head of Sokrates made out of
marble in 3rd century
A.D. is also being exhibited in this
hall. Another remarkable work in this
hall which is on display in a showcase
and made in form of the fountain of a
pool is the small Statue of Eros with
Dolphin which belongs to the 2nd century
A.D. The waters are being poured out of
the eyes of dolphin into the pool.
Statues of Asklepios, the God of Health,
of Artemis, small statue of the Egyptian
monk of 6th century B.C. and the Statue
of Bes, made out of baked soil in 2nd
century AD., symbolizing fertility are
the favourite works of this hall. The
most attractive one among the statues
and heads of Eros, taking place in this
hall, is the Roman Copy of Eros' head
made by Lysippos in the Hellenistic
period. Next to the child Eros' head,
found in Bouleuterion, the portrait bust
of Menander, the comedy writer takes
place. Busts of Emperor Tiberius and the
Empress Livia, Statue of Artemis and the
bronze human head of Roman period are
some of the other works of this hall.
From this hall, it is proceeded into a
hall where findings of a small door and
a fountain take place. The first work on
the right hand side is the head of Zeus
of 1st century B.C Next to this, the
statue of Aphrodisias of 1st century
A.D. and in the centre the statue of a
resting warrior of I st century A.D.
take place. On the left hand side of the
same hall, the statue group of
Polyphemos and Odysseus of 1st century
A.D. can be seen. These works initially
placed on the frontal of the Temple of
Augustus, later were moved to the
Fountain of Pollio. On the ground, the
friends of Odysseus killed by the giant
and on the side, Odysseus carrying a
stake to take the giant's eye out are
seen. Right across from this group the
statues of Trajan Fountain take place.
Here statues of young Dionysus of 2nd
century A.D., of Satyr in laying
position (2nd century A.D.)and of
Dionysus and imperial family by the wall
are exhibited. On the other side of this
hall, are the statues of Laecanius
Bassus Fountain, also called the Water
Palace. On the wall, the Roman copies of
the head of a warrior with helmet and
the head of Lysimachos of 5th century
B.C are some of the works which draw
attention. From here, it is proceeded to
the hall of recent findings. Crosses,
coins and the works of I st century AD.
such as glass trays, theatrical masks,
candles found in the Seven Sleepers'
Cavern; the bust of Emperor Marcus
Arelius found in homes on the slope are
some of the works that can be seen here.
The ivory frieze which is one of the
finest works of the Museum was found in
the homes of the slope in 1969. The work
which belongs to 2nd century AD. depicts
the war, Emperor Trajan fought against
barbarians, Emperor Trajan can be
clearly identified in the high relief on
the central panel, From here, it is
proceeded to the garden of Museum. In
the frontal of a temple placed in this
garden one can see the friezes of the
Pollio Fountain completed and placed
thereon, Also pillar heads, and on the
west wall, tomb and vow steles are being
exhibited here, The large sarcophagus
which takes place in the garden is
brough't here from the Belevi Mausoleum
which is at a distance of 11 km. from
Selçuk, It is believed that this
Mausoleum of 3rd century B.C., belongs
to Antiochos Theos II, died in 246 B.C.
in Ephesus, who is one of the kings of
Seleukos after Alexander the Great.
Today at the site of this Mausoleum
which is 23 m. high and has dimensions
of 29 .65x29 .65 m. only its pedestal
can be seen
From the garden, it is proceeded to the
tomb findings hall. Here, interment
ceremonies and traditions, and also tomb
findings are on display. Also, Mycenaean
dishes found in one of the graves which
dates back to almost 1400 B.C. and is
located at St. Jean, can be seen here.
In the middle of this hall, a ciazomenae
type sarcophagus of 5th century B.C.,
found in the Trade Agora of Ephesus and
made of baked soil and also the works
found in it are being exhibited. Also,
the works found in the Seven Sleepers'
Cavern are in this hall. In addition,
the statue of the mother Goddess Cybele
which belongs to 6th century B.C., and
the stele of Olympia, the daughter of
Diokles of 2nd century B.C. are other
works that attract attention.
In the Artemis hall which is visited
next, the statues of Artemis and the
works found in the Temple of Artemis
take place. Both statues of Artemis, one
called the Great Artemis and the other
called the Beautiful Artemis were found
during the excavations made at Ephesus
Prytaneion. The Great Artemis is 2.92 m.
tall and belongs to 2nd century A.D. and
has a triple bonnet on her head. The
Beautiful Artemis is 1.74 m. tall and is
made about 50 years after the other and
besides her, sacred animals take place.
These statues, with their multibreasts,
represent fertility. The golden goddess
statue found in the excavations of the
Temple of Artemis which is on display in
the showcase belongs to 2nd century B.C.
The ivory, baked soil, bronze and golden
works belong to the period between 7th
and 5th centuries B.C. and were left at
the temple as vow articles. From here,
it is proceeded to a hall where emperor
cults and portraits are on display. The
first statue seen in this hall is of 6th
century A.D. and belongs to Consul
Stephanos. Other portraits which belong
to distinguished inhabitants of Ephesus
belong to 3rd century A.D. 4 pieces of
friezes which belong to Temple of
Hadrianus of 3rd century are also being
displayed in this hall. In the centre, a
part of the altar of Domitian Temple can
be seen. Also Julia Paula's bust, and
the bust of emperors such as Commodus,
Trajan, Nero, Germanicus and Augustus
take place here. When we leave this hall
after seeing the statues of Augustus and
of his wife Livia we shall have
completed our tour through the Museum.
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EPHESUS
THEATRE
This theatre, which had a seating
capacity of 25,000 was first constructed
during the Hellenistic period, although
the present structure dates from the
1-2nd centuries AD. The Roman Theatre
was begun during the reign of Claudius
(34-41 A.D.), and it took 60 years to
build. The second and third storeys of
the skene (25x40 m) were constructed
during the reigns of the emperors Nero
(54-68 A.D.) and Septimus Severus (
193-211 AD.). Only parts of the skene
now date from the Hellenistic period.
The Theatre has three cavea, each 22
rows, to which access was obtained via
flights of steps between the cavea. The
skene is 18 m. in height and the inner
façade was ornamented with reliefs,
columns, blind niches, windows and
decorated with statues on three levels.
The semicircular orchestra, surrounded
by a channel, fronted a second skene
supported on columns, 2.70 metres in
height, which was approached by flights
of steps. This section of the skene was
used during the Roman period.
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FOUNTAIN OF THE LEOCANIUS BASSUS
On the southwest corner of the State
Agora we find the remains of a fountain.
According to an inscription which was
turned up during the course of
excavation, construction of this
fountain was ordered by Gaius Laecanius
Bassus in 80 AD. The facade of this
fountain constructed by Bassus, one of
the wealthy man of Ephesus, was richly
decorated,and consisted of two storeys
which faced the street. The statues of
Tritons and Muses, which were found at
the fountain, are now on display at the
Ephesus Museum. Because of the enormous
size of the fountain it has been
referred to as the "Water Palace". This
fountain is connected to another
fountain which is located just opposite
it to the west of the State Agora, and
also at the same time to a storage
cistern. The main section consists of a
body in the form of a semicirle and was
built in the 2nd century AD.
The fountain underwent repairs in the
reign of Constans and Constantius II
(337-350) when the present wings were
added. In inscriptions, this structure
is referred to as the Nymphaion. It is
the terminal point of the Aqueduct of
Sextilius Pollio, which was built during
the reign of Augustus between 7 -15 AD.
The aqueduct was 3.5 kilometers long,
and its remains may still be seen along
the Selçuk-Aydýn highway. There was a
cistern in the upper part of the
fountain, and the surroundings of the
structure were decorated with statues of
the Emperor.
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FOUNTAIN OF POLLIO
This fountain was built in 93 A.D. by
E.Atillius on behalf of E.Sextilius
Pollio. The fountain had a large covered
pool which was faced in marble slabs.
This Odysseus and Polyphemus group of
statues, recently uncovered at
excavations still going on, display at
the Museum.
The fountain has been restored from
portions which have been found and
raised.
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FOUNTAIN OF TRAJAN
Next to the Hadrian temple, also on the
Street of the Curettes stands this
fountain, built in honour of the Emperor
T rajan (98-117 AD.). The pool was 20 m.
long and 10 m. wide. It has been
partially restored. Originally the pool
was flanked by columns and statuary. The
statues are now on display in the
Ephesus Museum. The façade overlooking
the pool contained a colossal statue of
T rajan in the centre, the feet of which
remain in situ. Parts of the torso were
also found during excavation. This is
one of he finest monuments in Ephesus.
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GATE OF MOZAEUS AND MITHRIDATES OF
THE A
The most magnificent of the three
entrances to the Agora was the gate
alongside the Celsus Library which was
dedicated to Augustus and his family by
slaves, Mazaeus and Mithridates. The
gate was constructed in 40 A.D. The
dedicatory inscription in Latin
belonging to the work is visible on one
side, and was made in inlaid letters of
bronze. The two prisoners originally
were employed by Augustus and later by
his son in law Agrippa. Subsequently
they were manumitted and settled in
Ephesus. After making their fortunes
they had this gate constructed and
dedicated in honour of their former
master. Built in the form of a
ceremonial arch, the gate consists of
three sections.
The second magnificent gate of the Agora
was this one, located on the west, The
front was richly decorated with Ionian
columns, and the gate, which was
somewhat high, was reached by a
stairway. An inscription found near the
gate reads "Whoever urinates here will
be punished".
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HARBOUR
BATHS
Built in the 2nd century A.D., it was
repaired during the reign of Constantine
II(337-361 ). Oriented along an
north-south axis, it stands between the
harbour and the Gymnasium, and is one of
the largest structures in Ephesus,
measuring 160x170 m. and 28 m. in
height. In the centre of the large hall
to the east is the frigidarium, flanked
on both sides by dressing rooms. The
frigidarium contains a pool, 30 m. in
length. Marble composite columns are set
on piers 11m. in height. Several statues
were found there. The Caldarium, to the
west, is a spacious, high-roofed
building. Large numbers of statues were
found in the baths, and their bases
remain in situ.
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HARBOUR GYMNASIUM AND VERULANUS
BATHS
The Gymnasium was built in the reign of
Hadrian, and is entered from the Harbour
Road. It is an elliptical-planned,
mosaic-paved open court, above which is
the gate leading to the Atrium. A portal
flanked on either side with bull-heads
bearing gems, leads to two pools. The
building, which measures 40x20 m. has a
palaestra in the centre, as in other
gymnasia of this sort, surrounded by
cells used by the students for various
purposes. The palaestra is faced with
coloured marble plaques. An imperial
hall, absidal in plan, flanks the
northern wall. The Gymnasium was
two-storeyed, and to the east is the
Verulanus Stadium, built by the chief
priest of Asia during the reign of
Hadrian (117-138 AD.), the largest of a
series of sports facilities lining the
length of the Harbour Road. It measures
200x240 m. and stretches from the
Theatre Gymnasium at one end to the
Harbour Gymnasium at the other.
Access to the main road is via a five
sectioned portal leading out to a narrow
connecting alley. The Stadium consists
of a track surrounded by a marble-paved
triple columned portico, with access to
the Gymnasium on its western flank.
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HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY
Some four to six years after the death
of Christ, St. John is said to have
accompanied the Virgin Mary to Ephesus,
where it is believed they dwelt in a
small house over which now stands the
Council Church, or the Church of the
Virgin Mary. The Council Ephesus, dated
of 431 record this. Later St. John
brought the Virgin Mother to a house on
the slopes of Bülbül Mountain, the
position of which was later forgotten,
until research was begun in 1891 to find
traces of it. Katerina Emmerikin
discovered this house at Panaya Kapulu,
which fits the descriptions given in the
sources. It was officially accepted to
be the house of the Virgin in 1892 with
the celebration of high mass there by
Timoni, Archbishop of Ýzmir, and this
belief has recently been confirmed by
Pope Paul VI in 1967 and Pope John Paul
II in 1979 with the celebration of high
mass at Ephesus. The house is reached by
a road leading from the ruins of Ephesus
towards the Bülbül Mountain, and is only
a short walk from the road (100 m).
On the site of the House of the Virgin
Mary is a cruciform church with a
central dome, which is thought to have
been incorporated into the original
building in the 6-7th centuries.
The later structure can easily be
identified, as shown in red. Entering
the church via an arched Rortico with
flanking niches, one reaches a vaulted
narthex, from which a raised portal
leads to the nave and apse. A statue of
the Virgin Mary to be seen here was
erected in the last century, and is
fronted bya grey hearth area, known to
have been used for burning coal, and
traces of coal and wine were found there
during excavations. The small room to
the south was a bed chamber. The absidal
niche in the eastern wall of this room
is regarded as a shrine by Moslems, who
believe in the saintliness of the Virgin
Mary. Arabic inscriptions around the
walls are quotations from the Koran
relating to the Virgin Mary. To the west
are a series of fountains springing from
below the floor of the house. The water
flowing from these fountains is
considered curative. Visitors are free
to drink the waters under the shade of
the shrine.
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ISABEY
MOSQUE
This mosque, located on the slope
containing Ayasoluk Castle and the
Church of St. John, attracts the
visitors to the latter structure with
its beauty. The Mosque was built by the
architect Aliye son of Þamlý in 1375 on
orders by Ýsa Bey, son of Mehmet, leader
of the Aydýnoðullarý. The structure is
built on a 51 by 57 metres nearly
rectangular plan. The door which faces
west is decorated with artificial
stalactites, over which is a dedicatory
inscription.
Upon entry there is a courtyard which is
surrounded on three sides by porticoes
with a fountain for ablutions in the
centre. The Mosque itself is entered
from the courtyard through a triple
vaulted doorway. This section possesses
two domes set upon four granite columns.
The pulpit is covered with tiles. Three
of the column capitals are done in
traditional Turkish style, while a
fourth is a Roman capital.
The western façade was done inspired by
Konya Seljuk works. The upper parts of
the windows on the left are decorated
with rows of stalactites and
inscriptions of hadith (incidents from
the life of the Prophet). The ones on
the right are each decorated in an
entirely separate style. This is one of
the first examples of a mosque
containing two congregation places, and
as such it represents an important
example of the transition from Seljuk to
Ottoman art.
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MARBLE WAY
It is situated on a square beyond the
Herakles gate, and was built during the
1st century AD., during the reign of
Augustus, by the Memmius family.
Partical restoration has been carried
out with surviving fragments. According
to an inscription. The monument was
erected by Memmius, one of the
descendants of the dictator Sulla.
During the 4th century A.D. a large
fountain was built onto the north-west
facade.
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MEMMIUS
MANUMENT
It is situated on a square beyond the
Herakles gate, and was built during the
1st century AD., during the reign of
Augustus, by the Memmius family.
Partical restoration has been carried
out with surviving fragments. According
to an inscription. The monument was
erected by Memmius, one of the
descendants of the dictator Sulla.
During the 4th century A.D. a large
fountain was built onto the north-west
facade.
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ODEION (BOULEUTERION)
The Odeion, in which State affairs and
concerts were held, was ordered to be
construct by Publius Vedius Antoninus
and his wife Flavia Papiana, two wealthy
citizens of Ephesus, in the 2nd century
AD.
The Odeion seated an audience of 1450
and was enclosed. Since the podium next
to the orchestra and the stage section
do not conform to the style of a typical
Roman theatre, the structure was most
likely used primarly as a meeting hall
for the Municipal Council. The location
of government structures alongside
strengthens this view.
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PRITANEION ( MUNICIPAL HALL)
The Municipal Hall, built together with
the Altar of Hestia alongside it, was at
the same time used as the sacred
precinct of the City.
There was a sacred flame kept constantly
alight over the Altar of Hestia, and
there were statues of Artemis of Ephesus
here which were marble copies of the
wooden statues located in the Temple of
Artemis. The Prytaneion was primarily a
place where religious ceremonies and
rituals were held.
Although the building was first
constructed in the 3rd century B.C
during the reign of Lysimachos, the
remains we see today are those of the
sections which were reconstructed during
the reign of Augustus. The four-cornered
pit in which the sacred fire burned is a
relic from the reign of Lysimachos.
The building is constructed in the Doric
style and is surrounded by a large
number of late-period structures which
were used for municipal services. A
great number of structural elements were
removed from this building during the
construction of the Scholastikia Baths.
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ROUND TOWER
This is situated behind the Trajan
fountain, at the foot of Panayýr
Mountain. The tower was erected as a
monument in 50 A.D. It is
square-planned, and set on a podium was
the cylindrical shaft surrounded bya row
of arches on two courses, now in ruins.
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STADIUM
En route to the ruins after the
Gymnasium of Vedius, the monumental gate
of the Stadium attracts our attention.
The original Stadium was constructed in
the Hellenistic Period, and was restored
and expanded during the reign of the
Emperor Nero (54-58 A.D.). The large
vaulted gates were later modified and
repaired in the 3rd and 4th centuries.
The Stadium is 230 metres long and 40
metres wide, and its right side rests on
bedrock. On the left, vaulted
passageways have been constructed for
the rows of seats. Athletic contests,
gladiatorial fights, and chariot races
were held in this Stadium. The stepping
stones of the interior have been carried
away.
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STATE AGORA
The square structure built immediately
alongside the Basilica is the State
Agora of Ephesus which is reached from
the Basilica by four steps. This Agora,
which was built during the Roman Period
over the existing 2nd century B.C Agora,
was where all the city's business other
than commerce was conducted. Exploratory
excavations made in the northeast corner
of the Agora have turned up a great
number of graves from the.7th through
6th centuries B.C and a stone-paved
road, and a archaic sarcophagus of terra
cotta was found here. From this it is
understood that in the archaic period
this section served as the necropolis of
Ephesus.
Model of the State Agora:
1- Baths of Vedius, 2- Basilica, 3-
Odeion, 4- Temple of Divus Julius,
5-Prytaneion, 6- Memmius Monument, 7-
Garland frieze, 8-Fountain of Pollio, 9-
Temple of Isis, 10- South hall, 11-
Fountain of Laecanius Bassus, 12- Temple
of Domitian, 13- Fountain.
The Agora is 160 metres long and 73
metres wide and appears to have been
constructed during the reigns of
Augustus and Claudius, that is, during
the 1st century A.D. In the center of
the Agora, a temple in a somewhat
different style was unearthed in 1970.
This structure, also from the 1st
century A.D. appears to have been a
Temple to Isis. Constructed on a 10 by 6
column plan, only the foundations of
this temple have been located. The
superstructure of the temple was torn
down on the orders of the Emperor
Theodosius in the 4th century in the
course of alterations which were made in
the Agora.
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STREET OF THE CURRETES
This street, which starts at the Celsus
Library and extends east to the Magnesia
Gate, is known as the Street of the
Curettes, and takes its name from the
class of priests referred to as
"curettes" in long lists found at the
clerical schovl of chief priests. These
priests guarded the sacred fire of the
Goddess Hestia (Vesta). The street is
decorated with fountains, monuments,
statues, and galleries containing
mosaics. On one side there are shops
behind the columned porticoes.
The street assumed its final appearance
in the 4th and 5th centuries.
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TEMPLE
OF DOMITION
The Temple of Domitian (AD. 81-96) was
the first structure at Ephesus dedicated
to an emperor. The building is
constructed on a terrace set on vaulted
foundations. The temple was constructed
by the Ephesians as a token and symbol
of their friendship with Romans. Today
little remains of the Temple of
Domitian, which was located in the
centre of a broad platform, exists. The
work on the temple began while the
emperor was still alive, and the
structure was destroyed at the end of
the Christian Period. The huge statue of
Domitian found near the temple is today
at the Ýzmir Museum. Approach to the
temple was achieved by means of the
monumental stairway still visible today
on the north side of the terrace. The
façade of the temple was decorated with
eight columns. To the north was an
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