Victory, wisdom and wealth, Civilization under the ground
I was 10 or a little bit older when I first visited Ephesus; I was sick and had a fever. I can only remember the long marble road and Library of Celcus. But I knew that; my archaeology passion would bring me this magnificent ancient city again. After almost 22 years later, I was in Ephesus again, I have waited more than I imagined.
Great Theater
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| Great Theater |
When you first enter the city Great Theater will welcome you. With 25.000 person capacity Great Theater is the largest in Anatolia. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period and took its present shape in Roman Period. It was proven that the theater was used as a gladiator arena.
Tetragonos Agora
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| Reminings of Agora |
After Great Theater you’ll see Tetragonos Agora (commercial Agora) Tetragonos Agora will lead you to beautiful South Gate Agora, throughout the centuries official notices and legal amendments about commercial agora were hanged on walls of South Gate. Gate was built by Mazeus & Mithridates and was demolished with an earthquake in 13th century.
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| South Gate |
Library of Celcus
Rest a little bit under the shadow of South Gate, take pictures and admire the skilled masters Mazeus & Mithridates. When turn your back to Tetragonos Agora, on the right side, you’ll see Library of Celcus.
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| Front |
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| Ceiling |
Library was built in the memory of Tiberius İulius Celsus Polemaeanu by his son Gaius Iulius Aquila. Grave of İulius Celsus Polemaeanu was beneath under floor of Library. At the entrance you’ll be welcomed by 4 ladies, wisdom, knowledge, fate, virtue.
Temple of Hadrian
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| Temple of Hadrian |
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| Hadrian Himself |
After Library of Celcus, you’ll pass by “love house”, on Curetes Street you’ll see “Temple of Hadrian”. According to an architectural tablet this monument is bringing honor to Hadrian. Reliefs on the door, picture the foundation legend of Ephesus.
Traianus Fountain
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| Traianus Fountain |
Fountain was built in honor of Emperor Traianus and Ephesian Artemis. In the middle there is a statue which belongs Emperor Traianus. Under the feet of statue there is a sphere which represents earth.
Heracles Gate
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Heracles
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At the end of Curetes Street you’ll see two pillars. Both pillars were decorated with representations of Heracles. That’s why it’s called Heracles Gate.
Nike
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| Nike |
Nike, goddess of victory is one of symbolic icons of Ephesus. In relief of Nike, she holds a wreath made from laurel leaves. This wreath made from laurel leaves represents victory.
Processional Way
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| Processional Way |
Every year in ancient era, so-called Artemisia or Ephesia festivals were organized in honor of Artemisia, protected goddess of Ephesus. As part of those festivals; sports and music contents were organized but cortege was centre of attention.
Curetes Street
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| Street |
Curetes Street is one of main streets of Ephesus. Street is between The Hercules Gate and Celsus Library. There were fountains, monuments, statues and shops on the sides of the street.
Terrace Houses or Houses of Rich
Terrace houses 2 can be described as a big island called as insula (a kind of apartment building in ancient Rome that provided housing for all but the elite, source-Wikipedia).
Those rich houses had the highest comfort. Walls were covered with frescos and floors were covered with mosaics. Every house had baths and heating system.
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| Interior Walls |
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| Lion |
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| Indoor |
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| interior walls |
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| Indoor |
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| Indoor |
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| Granolithic Floor |
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| Fish on the wall |
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| Granolithic Floor |
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Indoor |
Graffiti in Terrace House 2
Drawings and writings were scratched on frescos. Those are giving information about daily life. On the drawings, generally, gladiators and animals were pictured. Writings are generally about love and poetry.
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| Gladiators |
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| Graffiti |
I should remind you, it’s going to be a long journey. So bring water and snack food. If you feel tired you can relax under the trees of Ephesus. Exit of the city you’ll see cafes. If you feel hungry or thirsty you can try those cafes.
If you want to buy something for your beloved ones there are also souvenir shops around cafes. But I suggest you to try museum shop.
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Celcus Library and South Gate
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| Ar View |
