VEDIUS GYMNASIUM    As one enters the ruins of Ephesus, the first structure one encounters is the Vedius Gymnasium the remains of those monumental walls attract our attention. This building was constructed around the middle of the 2nd century A.D. by Publius Vedius Antoninus, a leading citizen of Ephesus.    According to its inscription, this Gymnasium was dedicated to the city's goddess Artemis and to the Emperor Antoninus Pius ( 138-161 AD.) jointly by Publius Vedius Antoninus and his wife Papiana.    The entrance of the Gymnasium, which faces the asphalt road, is on the east. Passing through this doorway one finds himself in the palaestra (courtyard), which is surrounded by columns.    After this courtyard comes the hall of emperors, having floors decorated with mosaics and which was fitted out with statues. It was at the center of the back wall of this hall that the statue of the emperor was found.    Ephesus Artemision Church of St.John Isabey Mosque Plan of Ephesus Cave of the Seven Sleepers State Agora - Aqueduct of Sextilius Pollio Odeion (Bouleuterion) - Baths of Varius Prytaneion (Municipal Hall) Basilica - Fountain of Laecanius Bassus Fountain of Pollio Temple of Domitian Memmius Monument Victory Arch with Reliefs of Hercules Street of the Curretes Fountain of Trajan Temple of Hadrian Round Tower - Baths of Scholastikia Brothel Terrace Houses Celsus Library Agora Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates at the agora Marble way Arcadian Street - Ephesus Theatre Stadium - Harbour Baths Church of the Virgin Mary Vedius Gymnasium Harbour Gymnasium and Verulanus Baths House of the Virgin Mary Ephesus Museum As one enters the ruins of Ephesus, the first structure one encounters is the Vedius Gymnasium the remains of those monumental walls attract our attention. This building was constructed around the middle of the 2nd century A.D. by Publius Vedius Antoninus, a leading citizen of Ephesus. According to its inscription, this Gymnasium was dedicated to the city's goddess Artemis and to the Emperor Antoninus Pius ( 138-161 AD.) jointly by Publius Vedius Antoninus and his wife Papiana. The entrance of the Gymnasium, which faces the asphalt road, is on the east. Passing through this doorway one finds himself in the palaestra (courtyard), which is surrounded by columns. After this courtyard comes the hall of emperors, having floors decorated with mosaics and which was fitted out with statues. It was at the center of the back wall of this hall that the statue of the emperor was found. Part of this structure was used as a bath, and in the portion looking out on the street there is a dressing room and around this a tepidarium, a caldarium, and a frigidarium. All the statues found here are today in the izmir Archaeological Museum.     <<<BACK     NEXT>>>