Ephesus: Agora

This memorial structure, which was discovered in excavations a few years ago, is located in a field to the east of Frontinus Avenue. The agora, which was erected in the 2nd century AD, was one of the largest agoras of antiquity. It measured approximately 170 m. wide and 280 m. long. The agora is surrounded on three sides with porticoes formed by Ionic columns. At a higher locations is a stoa -basilica which dominates the eastern side. This place is currently under restoration. The stoa -basilica, which is 280 m. long and 20 m. wide, sits above a 4 m. high flight of steps and dominates the square. One can see golgo masks, eros figures carrying garlands, and a sphinx lion strangling a bun figure with its teeth, an of which decorate the center section of the monotonous facade formed by columns which carry aqueducts.

The northern and southern sections that lead to the square close off the western section. It has a facade of Ionic order, and its inner section is divided into two sections made up of rows of decorative columns topped with elegant Corinthian capitals from the 2nd. century AD.

The broad area in front of the Theatre was the Commercial Agora of Ephesus. Completely surrounded by columns, this Agora contained three entrances, one from the Celsus Library, one from the front of the Theatre, and one from the Harbour. In the form of a square 110 metres on a side, the north side of the Agora is left open, while the remaining three sides are surrounded by a portico which contained shops. The eastern and southern sides of the Agora were two-storeyed, the second storey of the eastern side being constructed in the form of an enclosed Doric stoa.

Originally built in the Hellenistic Period, the Agora was reconstructed in the 3rd century during the reign of Caracalla (211-217 A.D.). At the centre of the Agora was a sundial and a water-clock. The centre of the square was faced in marble and contained statues of the philosophers, statesmen, and of scholars.