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In warm climate such as Anatolia, fountains were a common site during the Roman Imperial period in particular and provided a vital public service.
Fountains were also sources of prestige for the city and the authorities would work hard to create even grander and more attractive fountains to increase their reputation.
Usually located in the busiest areas, these fountains with their columns and opulent sculptures are counted among the most stunning structures of the ancient world.
Usually located in the busiest areas, these fountains with their columns and opulent sculptures are counted among the most stunning structures of the ancient world.
Greek Inscription for Dedication of the Fountain to Emperor Trajan
One of the water canals of Ephesus, runs into this stunning two-teared fountain which shows how already existing aqueducts were incorporated when the structure was initially built.
One of the other water canals of Ephesus arrived to the city from a 17 kms. distance along with a 42 kms. Aqueduct line, called the Pollio Aqueduct.
One of the most important things that distinguishes our private ephesus tours is that the travelers also get a chance to see the remains of this aqueduct with the help of our ephesus tour guides.
One of the other water canals of Ephesus arrived to the city from a 17 kms. distance along with a 42 kms. Aqueduct line, called the Pollio Aqueduct.
One of the most important things that distinguishes our private ephesus tours is that the travelers also get a chance to see the remains of this aqueduct with the help of our ephesus tour guides.
A larger than life marble statue of Trajan once stood in the center of the fountain, if you look closely you will notice a globe and a fragment of a foot where the statue once stood.
The globe at the feet of the emperor symbolized his rule over the earth.
Like the theater the facade of the fountain was decorated with statues, many of which you can see in the hall of the fountains in Ephesus museum.
The globe at the feet of the emperor symbolized his rule over the earth.
Like the theater the facade of the fountain was decorated with statues, many of which you can see in the hall of the fountains in Ephesus museum.
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The Gate symbolized the separation of Public Buildings in the lower sections of the city from the Administrative and religious buildings located on the city's higher ground.
Today only the pillars from the Side walls of the gate remain.
On both pillars you can see depictions of Heracles, or Hercules as he is called in Roman mythology wearing a lion's hide.This ornamental gate was the entrance to the Curetes Path via the Domitianus Square.
Today only the pillars from the Side walls of the gate remain.
On both pillars you can see depictions of Heracles, or Hercules as he is called in Roman mythology wearing a lion's hide.This ornamental gate was the entrance to the Curetes Path via the Domitianus Square.
On both sides of the gate's steps were built to narrow down the passage way leading to the Curetes' Path.
Driven mad by Hera, the wife of Zeus, Heracles slew his own children and was ordered to complete 12 Tasks to attorn for his sins.
Upon successful completion of the tasks Heracles attained immortality.
Upon successful completion of the tasks Heracles attained immortality.
When you see this amazing gate, you can understand that you are almost made it to the half of your walking tour of ephesus ancient city.
This lead to the Path eventually being closed to chariots in the 5th Century and becoming a pedestrian walk way.
This lead to the Path eventually being closed to chariots in the 5th Century and becoming a pedestrian walk way.
One of the tasks assigned him was to slaying of the terrifying Nemean Lion.
Because of the impenetrability of the Lion's fur, Heracles had no choice but to enter it's den and strangle it to death with his bare hands.
After which he skinned the lion and donned it's hide.
The Slaying of the Nemean Lion is one of the most popular and significant of the 12 Tasks incapsulating as it does the awesome strenght of Heracles.
Because of the impenetrability of the Lion's fur, Heracles had no choice but to enter it's den and strangle it to death with his bare hands.
After which he skinned the lion and donned it's hide.
The Slaying of the Nemean Lion is one of the most popular and significant of the 12 Tasks incapsulating as it does the awesome strenght of Heracles.
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This relief of Goddess Nike at the Domitianus Square is considered to have been a decorative element on the second story of the Heracles Gate on the Part of the Curetes.
Meaning victory in Greek, the Goddess was generally depicted as the young winged girl descending swiftly from the skies to bring victory.
Meaning victory in Greek, the Goddess was generally depicted as the young winged girl descending swiftly from the skies to bring victory.
As a tour guide, during my commentaries I also relate this with the famous riot of NIKA in Constantinople stroke out in the 6th Century AD in the reign of Emperor Justinian.
Remaining faithful to this archetype presentation in this relief Nike is seen clutching a palm branch on her right hand and a laurel wreath on her left, being a symbol of Victory Nike was a frequently used motif in architectural and decorative structures.
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As well as architectural monuments a number of fountains were also built in Ephesus.
Some of these were built in the name of the emperor, others were built to honor those who had contributed to the welfare of the city.
the fountain of Hydreion beside the statue of Memmius, is one of the most outstanding fountains in the city.
This area formed a small square in the corner of the path of the Corobanthies and was a resting place for travelers.
The fountain was originally built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, to similize the unity of the Roman Empire statues of Dioclation, Maximian, Constantine and Galerius were later added to the structure.
Two of the Pedestals of these statues can still be seen.
Similar statues of these emperors can be seen a little further on in front of the stunning Hadrian Temple.
This spectacular structure had three separate water basins. 4 of the glorious corinthian style columns can still be seen in front of the fountain.
Some of these were built in the name of the emperor, others were built to honor those who had contributed to the welfare of the city.
the fountain of Hydreion beside the statue of Memmius, is one of the most outstanding fountains in the city.
This area formed a small square in the corner of the path of the Corobanthies and was a resting place for travelers.
The fountain was originally built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, to similize the unity of the Roman Empire statues of Dioclation, Maximian, Constantine and Galerius were later added to the structure.
Two of the Pedestals of these statues can still be seen.
Similar statues of these emperors can be seen a little further on in front of the stunning Hadrian Temple.
This spectacular structure had three separate water basins. 4 of the glorious corinthian style columns can still be seen in front of the fountain.
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During antiquity Roman Emperors were worshiped as Gods.
Such a cult created unity across the empire and overcame linguistic, religious and cultural differences.
At the same time it symbolized the divine protection of such a union. Like many other cities in Anatolia, Temples dedicated to the emperor were also erected in Ephesus.
Such a cult created unity across the empire and overcame linguistic, religious and cultural differences.
At the same time it symbolized the divine protection of such a union. Like many other cities in Anatolia, Temples dedicated to the emperor were also erected in Ephesus.
One of them being the Temple of Domitianus.
Only cities known as Neokoros, were authorized to build temples in honor of the emperor.
Only cities known as Neokoros, were authorized to build temples in honor of the emperor.
This created a competition between the cities, who sought to gain prestige through such a title.
Ephesus was granted the Neokoros Title 4 times end thus gained a preeminence status in comparison with other cities such as Smyrna and Pergamon.
Many of the monumental structures in Ephesus thus date back to the Roman period.
Ephesus was granted the Neokoros Title 4 times end thus gained a preeminence status in comparison with other cities such as Smyrna and Pergamon.
Many of the monumental structures in Ephesus thus date back to the Roman period.
Emperor Domitianus was known to be a proud and cruel leader while many other cities trembled and withered under his wrath the city of Ephesus constructed both a spectacular temple in his honor with an immense 7 meters statute on a grand base in this base leading to the entrance. Indeed the statue was so vast, it was reported to be visible from far away.
After the death of the Emperor, the people of the city free at last of his tyranny had his name removed from official inscriptions and had the statute broke down.
The large head and an arm of the statue are on display on Ephesus Museum.
The large head and an arm of the statue are on display on Ephesus Museum.
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The Road between the Prytaneum and the Square of Domitianus was known as the Sacred Walkway.
It lead to the Harbor where Ships would sail to these Island of Delos. In the Classical Period this Island was considered birth Place of Artemis. An Annual festival was held on Delos, with various performances celebrating and reenacting the the birth of the Goddess.
It lead to the Harbor where Ships would sail to these Island of Delos. In the Classical Period this Island was considered birth Place of Artemis. An Annual festival was held on Delos, with various performances celebrating and reenacting the the birth of the Goddess.
At the foot of the Slope, the Two figures carved on the Pedestals are Asclepius, the God of Medicine and Healing and Hermes a mystery of the Gods.
Every year the sacrificial animals for this ceremony would proceed along sacred walkway and then be shipped over the sea.
Hermes is depicted as naked and holding a Ram's horn in one hand and a Staff in the other.
A Three Legged copper pitcher known as a tripod used in drinking ceremonies is depicted on the other side of the plinth of a snake.
On the plinth on the other side of the part a similar depiction of Hermes, this time with a tripod over a plata can be seen.
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Built in late antiquity and the structure central to the early history of Christianity this was the first church to be built in honor of the Virgin Mary and is famous with the Ecumenical Council convened here in the year 431 AD.
Emperor Theodisius II, ordered the convening of the 3rd Ecumenical Council, the first two being in Nicaea in 325 AD, and Constantinople in 381 AD. And it was attended by the Archbishop of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Ephesus as well as an emissary of the Pope.
The aim of this council was to ratify the fundamental principles of Christianity and to discuss the notion put forward by archbishop Nestorius, that Mary was Christokos, the mother of Christ [in human form] and not Theotokos, the mother of Christ [as God].
Issues fundamental to the Nature of Christianity were debated and many are heated exchange took place over the course of the assembly, which lasted a full 3 months.
The end result was the refutation of Nestorius' notion of Christ and the assertion and declaration of Christ as the Son of God.
The end result was the refutation of Nestorius' notion of Christ and the assertion and declaration of Christ as the Son of God.
After leaving Cyprus, John the Apostle and Virgin Mary are believed to have arrived in Ephesus where they lived and died.
Certain sources states that John the Apostle composed large parts of the Bible here. While being led to the Hill of Golgotha to be crucified Christ entrusted Mary to the care of his most beloved disciple, John the Apostle.
In the phase of persecution the Christians by Herod the Great or the I, John the Apostle and Mary left Jerusalem for Western Anatolia, both to escape persecution in Judea and in order to promulgate the new religion amongst the idolaters.
In this way densely populated cities of Western Anatolia helped spread Christianity to the West and the Roman world making Ephesus a major center of the new religion.
In this way densely populated cities of Western Anatolia helped spread Christianity to the West and the Roman world making Ephesus a major center of the new religion.
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Memmius Monument at the Head of the Part of the Curetes, near the Square of Domitianus was built in honor of Memmius, grandson of Roman General and Statesman Sulla.
The monument celebrates the political victory of Sulla over king Mithridates IV of Pontus.
the Ruler who massacred 80.000 People and imposed a crippling levy on the citizens of the city of Ephesus.
The monument celebrates the political victory of Sulla over king Mithridates IV of Pontus.
the Ruler who massacred 80.000 People and imposed a crippling levy on the citizens of the city of Ephesus.
Memmius, his father Caius and his grandfather, the dictator Sulla can be seen in military tyre on the reliefs between the columns of the two-teared structure.
Only Sulla was able to put an end to the tyranny of the Pontic King making him a hero to the people of Ephesus.
Latin Inscription on the Architrave of Memmius Monument
On the Eastern Edge of the Structure can be seen an inscription in Greek and Latin that reads "Caius Memmius, son of Caius, grandson of Cornelius Sulla, the Saviour"
The northern front of the monument was most probably completed without decoration.
The northern front of the monument was most probably completed without decoration.
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The Bouleuterion where the buildings in which the legislative assemblies of the Ancient Greek city states gathered.
It was the duty of these assemblies to decide on the important topic pertaining to everyday life such as setting the prices for trade goods.
When travelers start their private ephesus tours from the Upper entrance being accompanied by their professional certified private ephesus tour guide, the first structure taking their attention is the Bouleuterion, most of the people reckon that this is the Great Theater, but actually it is not.
If you are looking to book a Private Tour of Ephesus including this amazing site Please Click HERE.
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When ephesus tour guides start their walking tours of the ancient city of Ephesus, they start the tour from the Upper Gate of this amazing ancient city.
The first structures of attraction welcoming the visitors are the Prytaneion, Senate Hall.
You will see on this post some detailed information about these sites of attraction.
If you want to book a Private Tour of Ephesus includes this Amazing Attraction Please Click HERE.
The first structures of attraction welcoming the visitors are the Prytaneion, Senate Hall.
You will see on this post some detailed information about these sites of attraction.
If you want to book a Private Tour of Ephesus includes this Amazing Attraction Please Click HERE.