Kamis, Februari 21, 2008
Ephesus in Turkey
The stadium of Ephesus occupies an area of 229 m. by 295 m. It is the space between the arches on the left and the gate on the right. Different sports contests such as horse-racing, and chariot racing were performed here. There was a round arena on the east side where gladiators fought. The covered arches on the left side along the stadium were made for keeping the animals brought from hot countries. There were stone steps on the slope seen on the right, on which spectators sat. The seating places, were formed by filling the spaces with soil.
The stadium gateway was built in the time of Emperor Nero in the first century A. D. It is a work of architecture belonging to the Roman period. The gate seen in the picture is supposed to have been constructed in the 3rd or 4th century A. D. It is reckoned that the stadium had a capacity for 13.000 spectators. The stone steps of the stadium which were used as seats, no longer exist, having been carried to Ayasuluk hill in order to build the structures there.
You come across the remnants of the harbour baths constructed with huge stones and gracefully carved marble, between the Double Churches and the Harbour Street. These baths in the south, 200 m. from the churches, belong to the Roman period of the 2nd century A.D. Emperor Constantine restored them in the 4th century and they were named after him. You can see some pedestals on which many precious statues once used to stand in the large salon in the picture.
There was a covered swimming pool to the north of this salon. Magnificent granite pillars which once used to decorate this swimming pool, now support the domes of Isa Bey Mosque. The excavations at this spot did not reveal the warm - water (tepidarium), and the hot - water (caldarium) parts of the baths. Again it is said that a valuable bronze statue was dug out in the excavation of 1926, and carried away to the Museum of Vienna.
One enters the courtyard of the harbour baths from the main harbour road. The court is a colonnaded atrium which leads to the baths via a monumental portal, flanked on either side by rectangular pools with bulls heads and garland relief carving to either side.
The Arcadian street led to the harbour from the Great Theatre and was lined with columns along each side for its length of 530 m. Its width is 21 m. This street, which was the most important one of the city, was restored by Emperor Arcadius (395 - 408 A.D.). so that it was called Arcadian after him. The middle section is paved with marble and is 11 m. wide; both pillared side sections of the street are 5 m. wide each. According to the knowledge acquired through excavations, the street, decorated with statues, was illuminated by candle-like street lamps at night.
There was a Harbour Gate at the place where the street came to the sea. This gate still stands there in its elegance but photos can't be taken of it because of the marshy land around. There was a sewage system under the street. In the distance on the horizon, you can discern the hill over which St. Paulus was put into prison and for this reason it is called the Prison of St. Paulus. Four monumental columns though to date to the 4th century are to be found in the centre of the harbour road. Although it is not known why these were originally erected, they are thought to have born the statues of the four authors of the New Testament.
If you want to visit http://www.travel-guide-greece.com Greece and take a http://www.travel-guide-greece.com/Cruise-greece/greek-islands-mediterranean/golden-fleece.asp Cruise to Turkey at the same time choose one of the incredible
http://www.travel-guide-greece.com/Cruise-greece/greek-islands-mediterranean/Cruises.asp Mediterranean Cruises.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar