Modern day Turkey

APHRODISIAS

MAY 2004

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a statue of the goddess in Selchuk

This is a reproduction of a statue of Aphrodite.   Those that we saw in Aphrodisias were all headless.  The goddess of fertility, her chest is full of breasts.

marks show Ephesus and Aphrodisias
The ruins are not marked on this map but are approximately where the lower line is located.

Situated about 230 kms. from Izmir and the Aegean coast, Aphrodisias has been the focus of one of the most significant and prolific archaeological enterprises of the century.  The exploration of this remarkable site, conducted since 1961 under the aegis of New York University, has yielded many important discoveries, including an unprecedented array of handsome, well-preserved buildings and qualities of splendid sculpture and Graeco-Roman period.  This was the sculpture center of the Roman world for nearly 6 centuries, from the 1st Century B.C. to the end of the 5th century A.D.

sanctuary Theater baths

These columns are what remains of a sanctuary devoted to the deified emperor Augustus.

These are the ruins of the Theater Baths, which can also be seen in the photo below.

The panorama below is of the Theater.  As all seating of this type it is on the side of a hill so the wind will carry the voices without having to yell.  This was a covered theater because there is no water trough around the edges.
Indoor Theater
large public market and part of a temple
Large basilia
Concert Hall

The panorama photo above and the 2 below are of the building which contained the concert-hall with the actual area on the lower right.  The floor was mosaic and is now in the museum.
Gloria at entrance to Concert Hall Concert hall with orchestra area
baths of Hadrian. I looked but didn't see her...
Athletic Stadium
This athletic stadium, one of the largest ever uncovered could seat about 30,000 people an estimated 10% of the population.  Circus were held in the circle at this end.
What got me was the fact that these ruins are in the way of the farmer and his crop.  We saw the sheep and other farm animals grazing on the land.  It is like the site is more of a hindrance to the farmers than a national treasure. 
End of Stadium

These photo below are opposites, looked into the tunnel (with the other side in the photo above), then turning around looking at the stadium floor.
Tunnel into stadium Stadium floor
Gates to Aphrodites temple artwork at top of gate.

Above the the entrance to the Temple.  It has been move to this site and reconstructed.

To the right is Gloria in a field of spring wild flowers.  The red poppy is their national wild flower much as the golden poppy is for California.

Below is a field of sarcophagus'. We learned that most were damaged by souvenir hunters during the 1950's and 60's.
sarcophagus
ornate soph. the writing carved on them were either in Greek, Latin, or Hebrew.
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