|
TEMPLE OF
DOMITIAN
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 İzmir
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 altar, now on display in
the Ephesus Museum, which is decorated with
reliefs portraying various implements of war.
The
terrace is 50 by 100 metres in size, and from
the north appears to be two storeys high. The
terrace is set on a foundation which rests
against the slope. On the east were shops and
small chambers, where a fresco of Demeter was
found. On either side of the U-shaped
extension are niches, above which were located
windows which served to light the interior.
"""""""""""""""""""""""
|
