Ephesus - The Aegean Coast - Cities and Towns in Turkey - Turkey - Home
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The State Agora |
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| The agora on the
southern part of the Basilica is the State Agora. It was built in the
Roman Period in the first century B.C. Unlike the
agora next to the
theater, the State Agora was used not for
commerce but for business, it played an important role as a meeting
place for the governmental discussions. During the excavations in the
northeast corner of the Agora were found a great number of graves from
the 7th-6th centuries B.C. and a stone-paved road, and a archaic
sarcophagus of terra cotta. From this it is understood that in the
archaic period this part of the Agora was used as the necropolis of
Ephesus. There is a water reservoir at the corner of the Agora, which
played an important role in Ephesus. Its water was brought to the city
through the Pollio Aqueduct, the remains of the Pollio Aqueduct can be
seen 5 kilometers away, along the Selçuk-Aydin highway.
Although it was built sometime in the first century B.C.E., but at
this location there have been found seventh/sixth century B.C.E. graves.
The agora is roughly 520 x 240 feet. The State Agora is located across
the street from the Odeion, which is on the other side of the
Curetes Street.
At the northern side of the state agora was a triple-aisled and
two-story stoa, which was sponsored by C. Sextilius Pollio and dedicated
to Artemis, Augustus, Tiberius, and the people of Ephesus (Crossan and
Reed, 248) |
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Investigations have shown that until the 4th century A.D., the site of the agora, where it was the custom to hold all types of political activity (elections, meetings, demonstrations, etc.), was occupied by a cemetery through which ran the sacred way. This explains the location of the many graves that were found in the area. In the western sebion of this rectangular structure, three sides of which are surrounded by rows of columns, excavations have revealed the foundations of a 1st century temple dedicated to the cult of Isis. Between the state agora and the odeum lies a three aisled roofed structure 160 m in length, known as the Basilica. This is surrounded by three rows of columns with Corinthian and Ionic capitals adorned with bull's heads. This was used as the city bourse where money-lenders and bankers would meet to exchange money. It was completely destroyed at the end of the 6th century. |
CLICK HERE for
additional photos of Ephesus
and
HERE for photos of some of the intricate
detail work to be found in Ephesus.
| It is best to visit Ephesus with a good
guide - especially if it is your first visit. Although there are many licensed,
official tour guides, I believe that Can (John) Yigit is one of the best. One of
the main reasons is, not only does he love this place, but he worked here beside
the archeologists when he was in college. And, is very personable. His English
is excellent and he makes the place come alive with his narrative. Contact
information is as follows: Can Yigit Gsm +90 532. 426 63 35 Tel +90 256. 612 83 30 email: guidecan68@yahoo.com P.O. Box 152 09400 Kusadasi / Aydin / Turkey Here
are a couple of comments about John. |
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