The Artist Made a Visualization of 7 Monuments of Ephesus. Ancient Cities Were Bursting With Colors and Were Not White at All
6:03 PM EDT, April 14, 2022
Ádám Németh is a Hungarian artist who made a visualization of Ephesus (the ancient Ionian city). Looking at the ruins he showed how the Greek and Roman buildings might have looked in the 2nd century. Contrary to popular belief, they were not white or sandstone in color at all. Most likely they were painted red, blue or yellow.
#1 Library of Celsus
The building was constructed between 114 and 117. The library collection consisted of about 12,000 scrolls. They were distributed in cabinets, which were located in wall niches. They were guarded by a statue of Athena.
In 260 the reading room was destroyed by fire, but the facade survived and can be admired today.
#2 Temple of Artemis
The monumental temple was built by order of King Croesus in about 560 BC. Its dimensions are 130 meters by 69 meters. It was made of marble and Lebanese cedar.
The temple was destroyed in the third century during the invasion of the Goths. It has never been rebuilt.
#3 Fountain of Trajan
It was built in the early 2nd century to commemorate Emperor Trajan. The two-storey building was surrounded by a pool of water. A life-size statue of the ruler was placed at the front.
Only the feet of the statue of Trajan were found in the ruins, which are exhibited in the museum.
#4 Theatre
Construction began in the 3rd century BC. It could seat about 24,000 people and was built of marble. It has been expanded and enlarged over the centuries.
St. Paul preached on its stage. Currently, music festivals are held there.
#5 Temple of Hadrian
It was built in the 2nd century in honor of Emperor Hadrian. Above the entrance there was a relief depicting the goddess Tyche (she was the patroness of Ephesus).
The temple is small, and archaeologists suspect that it must have been dedicated to several rulers.
#6 Curette Road
This is one of the three main streets of Ephesus. It led from the Library of Celsus to the Gate of Hercules. Along it were monuments, stores, and fountains.
The name of the street comes from the mythical figures who protected little Zeus from Kronos. They were called the curetes.
#7 Memmius Monument
It was erected in the 1st century in honor of Lucius Cornelius Sulla (Roman commander and dictator). The construction was financed by his grandson, Memmius.
Very little of the entire monument has survived to our times.
Which monument delighted you the most?