Turkey. Ephesus. View of a re-erected column and some foundations and fragments of the Temple of Artemis. The Temple ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The Temple, built in the Hellenistic era (2nd century BCE), was entirely made of marble. It was almost four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens, and each of its 127 Ionic columns measured 17.5 metres high. The ruins of the 1st Century CE Baths at the State Agora, built on the site of a Hellenistic Gymnasium. Ephesus, Turkey. It had a network of public lavatories, a frigidarium (cold water), a tepidarium (warm water) and a caldarium (hot water).The Basilica Stoa ruins, built in the 1st century CE during the reign of Emperor Augustus, Ephesus, Turkey. Used as a commercial centre of commerce and courthouse, the Basilica was over 160 metres long and had a wooden roof and three naves which were separated by two rows of columns topped by Corinthian capitals. It stands between the Odeon and the State Agora.The Basilica Stoa ruins, built in the 1st century CE during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Ephesus, Turkey. Used as a commercial centre of commerce and courthouse, the Basilica was over 160 metres long and had a wooden roof and three naves which were separated by two rows of columns topped by Corinthian capitals. It stands between the Odeon and the State Agora.A side entrance between the stage and auditorium of the well-preserved Odeon or Bouleuterion. Turkey. Ephesus. Dating from the 2nd century CE, the building was used for poetry reciting and staging concerts, and also as a meeting place for the council. It seated 1,400 spectators, and a wooden roof probably covered it, as no gutters or drains for rainwater exist.The Odeon or Bouleuterion, which dates from the 2nd century CE. Turkey, Ephesus. The building served as a venue for poetry recitals, concerts, and council meetings. It seated 1,400 spectators and was probably covered with a wooden roof, as no gutters or drains for rainwater exist. Directly in front of the Odeon is the Basilica, and then the State Agora.The Temenos or Rhodian Peristyle courtyard, western section of the Bouleuterion Odeon, Ephesus. Turkey.The ruins of the Prytaneion. Ephesus, Turkey. Originally dating from the 3rd century BCE, builders remodelled the structure over time, and it attained its ultimate form during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus. A portico of Ionic columns and houses for the priests surrounded the large central square. The priests’ names were carved into these columns. The city’s sacred fire was continually burning within its walls, and the building functioned as a place to host civic and religious dignitaries and house important events, receptions, and banquets.Marble statue base with a relief of Hermes dating from the 3rd century CE. Ephesus. Turkey.Fountain of Domitian with its high arch, right is the columned parapet in front of the Temple of Domitian. Turkey. Ephesus. The fountain of Pollius was built in 97 CE by Caius Sextilius Pollio who was a wealthy nobleman. Builders constructed the Temple of Domitian between 87 and 96 AD to honor Emperor Domitian. This temple was the first in Ephesus dedicated to an Emperor.The fountain of Domitian with its high arch which supported its triangular pediment. Ephesus. Turkey.The beautiful low relief depicting Nike, the goddess of Victory and messenger of Zeus. Turkey. Ephesus. The depiction shows the goddess in flight, holding a crown of laurels and a bundle of ears of corn.The monument of Memmius is on the north side of Domitian Square. Ephesus. Turkey. Erected in honour of Caius Memnius, grandson of the dictator Cornelius Sulla, the monument dates from the 1st century CE during Augustus’s reign. The upper section of the monument shows a series of statues portraying members of the Memmius family.The Heracles Gate, which provides pedestrian access to Curetes Street. Ephesus. Turkey. Depicting Heracles slaying the Nemean Lion, one of his 12 labours, the two marble pillars resemble gate lintels. The representation of the gate derives from around the 5th century CE; however, the gate is older than that.Turkey. Ephesus. Greek inscription and egg and dart mouldings on a large cornice with the dedicatory inscription of the Fountain of Trajan. Dating from the 2nd century CE, the fountain was built in honour of and dedicated to Roman Emperor Trajan. It originally comprised two levels rising to a height of 12 metres with a basin surrounded by pillars intersected with statues of divinities named members of the Emperor’s family.The Fountain of Trajan is on Curetes Street. Turkey. Ephesus. Dating from the 2nd century CE, the fountain was built in honour of and dedicated to Roman Emperor Trajan. The structure was initially two stories tall, reaching 12 metres, and featured a basin surrounded by pillars. These pillars were decorated with statues of divinities, specifically named family members of the Emperor.View of the lower level of the Scholastica Varius Baths. Ephesus, Turkey. The baths were a three-storey structure, including its basement, and one of the largest buildings in the city. Originally built in the 1st century CE, the baths take their name from the wealthy woman who had the baths restored in the 4th century.A relief sculpture depicting a reclining man at the Scholastica Varius Baths in Ephesus, Turkey. The baths, a three-story structure encompassing a basement, stood as one of the city’s most significant buildings. Named after a wealthy woman who renovated them in the 4th century CE, the baths were initially constructed in the 1st century CE.The entrance terrace of the Varius Baths features a statue of Scholastica, a wealthy woman responsible for the Baths’ restoration in the 4th century CE. Ephesus. Turkey. The baths, a three-story building that included a basement, was one of the largest structures in the city. The baths, first constructed in the 1st century CE, are named after a wealthy woman who funded their restoration in the 4th century.Turkey. Ephesus. Remaining columns of Hadrian’s Gate, or the Monumental Gate, can be seen. The gate, which dates back to the 2nd century CE, is at the intersection of Curetes Street and Marble Street. Initially, the Gate featured three levels and a central arch. It is thought to have led to a significant religious structure or sacred location that archaeologists have not yet uncovered.Statue on a pedestal along Curetes street which stretches from the Heracles Gate to the Celsus Library. Ephesus, Turkey. The paved street, named after a class of priests in Ephesus, is located in the city’s center. During its prime, vendors filled the street, which also featured many fountains, statues, shops, and mosaic-paved, covered, columned galleries.View along Curetes street which stretches from the Heracles Gate to the Celsus Library (in the background). Ephesus. Turkey. The paved street, named after a class of priests in Ephesus, features many fountains, statues, shops, and mosaic-paved, covered, columned galleries.View along Curetes street which stretches from the Heracles Gate to the Celsus Library. Ephesus, Turkey. The paved street, named after a class of priests in Ephesus, occupies the city’s center. During its peak, various fountains, statues, shops, and mosaic-paved, covered, columned galleries bordered it.A view of Curetes Street, extending from the Heracles Gate to the Library of Celsus. The city of Ephesus in Turkey. This paved street, which gets its name from a class of priests in Ephesus, runs through the heart of the city. In its most prosperous times, it was adorned with many fountains, statues, shops, and mosaic-floored, covered walkways.Relief of Medusa with ornaments of acanthus leaves decorating the entrance door tympanum of the Temple of Hadrian, Ephesus, Turkey. In the heart of Ephesus on Curetes Street, the Temple was built around 138 CE to honour a visit by Roman Emperor Hadrian.The facade of the Temple of Hadrian with its elegant Corinthian columns and curved arch. Turkey. Ephesus. On Curetes Street, in the heart of Ephesus, they built the Temple around 138 CE to honour a visit by Roman Emperor Hadrian.Vaulted southern gate of the Tetragonos, or Commercial Agora, Ephesus. Turkey.A close-up view of the facade ceiling above the statue of virtue (arete) at the Library of Celsus. The city of Ephesus. Constructed between 114 and 117 CE by Consul Gaius Julius Aquila, the library in Turkey originally served as a mausoleum for his father, Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. His father is interred in a tomb beneath the apsidal wall, towards the right side of the rear wall. During its peak, the library was incredibly wealthy within the empire, holding over 12,000 scrolls. The statues in the niches between the doors represented Celsus’s wisdom (Sophia), knowledge (episteme), intelligence (ennoia), and virtue (arete).The facade of the Library of Celsus features a lower niche containing a statue that embodies Knowledge (episteme). Gaius Julius Aquila, a consul, constructed the library between 114 and 117 CE to serve as a tomb for his father, Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. Julius Celsus Polemaeanus rests in a tomb situated beneath the apsidal wall, to the right of the rear wall. The library was one of the wealthiest in the empire and at its peak had over 12,000 scrolls.Statue representing virtue (arete) in a lower niche of the Library of Celsus facade. Ephesus. Turkey. Consul Gaius Julius Aquila built the library in CE 114–117 as a mausoleum for his father, Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, who lies in a tomb under the apsidal wall on the right side of the back wall. Statue representing wisdom (Sophia) in a lower niche of the Library of Celsus facade. Consul Gaius Julius Aquila built the library in CE 114–117 as a mausoleum for his father, Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The reconstructed Library of Celsus, which is the ancient city’s most famous building. Turkey. Ephesus. Consul Gaius Julius Aquila built it in CE 114–117 as a mausoleum for his father, Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. His father is buried in a tomb under the apsidal wall on the right side of the back wall. The library was one of the wealthiest in the empire and at its peak had over 12,000 scrolls. The statues seen in the niches between the doors symbolised wisdom (Sophia), knowledge (Episteme), intelligence (Ennoia) and virtue (Arte) of Celsus.Portico columns on the north side of the Tetragonos Agora or Commercial Agora. Ephesus, Turkey. Originally built in the third century BCE during the Greek Hellenistic period, the Agora was a square, 110 meters along each side, surrounded by columned porticoes and shops, and in its centre were a water clock and sundial.Ruins of the Two storey Doric Basilica on the east side of the Tetragonos Agora or Commercial Agora. Ephesus, Turkey. Originally built in the third century BCE during the Greek Hellenistic period, the Agora was a square, 110 meters along each side, surrounded by columned porticoes and shops, and in its centre were a water clock and sundial.Turkey. Ephesus. View of tourists walking from the Celsus Library gates through the vast area known as the Commercial Agora. Originally built in the third century BCE during the Greek Hellenistic period, the Agora was a square, 110 meters along each side, surrounded by columned porticoes and shops, and in its centre were a water clock and a sundial.Arcadian Way or Harbour Street, which led from the Great Theatre to the harbour (now silted up). Ephesus. Turkey. The street was over 500 metres long and 11 metres wide. The street, which was first constructed in the Hellenistic era, was later renovated under Roman Emperor Arcadius (395-408 CE), and it was named in his honour. The area was paved with marble and featured covered walkways on either side, with lamps providing illumination.Turkey. Ephesus. Dramatic view from the top tier of the Great Theatre of Ephesus, which is built on the slopes of Mount Pion. The Greeks originally built the theatre in the third century BCE during the Hellenistic reign of Lysimachus, and the Romans remodeled and enlarged it to its current state. The tiers could accommodate 25,000 people, which made it one of the largest theatres in the Roman world. Used for plays, concerts, and gladiatorial events, the theatre is famous for its use by the Bible character St. Paul as a place to preach against pagan worship.The Arcadian Way or Harbour Street and the Great Theatre in the background. The Arcadiane was over 500 metres long and 11 metres wide. In antiquity it led from the Great Theatre to the harbour (now silted up). Originally built during the Hellenistic period, the street was restored during the reign of Roman Emperor Arcadius (395-408 CE) whom the street was then named after. It was laid with marble and lined with covered porticoes on each side and even street lighting was provided by a number of lamps.
