Ephesus: The Street of the Curettes

The portal at the south end was constructed in 65-86 AD at the place where walls intersected in the north with the Byzantine walls in another gate. To the east adjacent to gate is a nymphaeum dating from IInd century .The level of the street starts rising as of this spot. It was flanked with dwellings dating from the Roman times. Beyond this gate called “The Byzantine Gate” are funerary monuments and another monumental portal.

This triple gate has two round towers. It was constructed by Julius Frontinus, proconsul of Asia in 84-86 AD and consecrated to Domitianus. One refers to it as “The gate of Domitianus and J. Frontinus” It seems that the street was occupied by new constructions as of 1st century and made narrower. The excavations have shown that an along the street were shops and storehouses. This is the evidence of the fact that this locality traded in business.

The ceramics unearthed indicate that here were ceramics workshops amongst which must have also existed those which manufactured bricks and tiles. The columns of this street lie now in the swimming pool of the motel. To swim within the bowels of the history is quite an experience.

The main street of the city which divided the city was flanked with porticos and important buildings. On both sides were enormous portals. This part of the street having been made during the Roman times it remains outside the gate of Byzantium.

This street, which starts at the Celsus Library and extends east to the Magnesia Gate, is known as the Street of the Curettes, and takes its name from the class of priests referred to as "curettes" in long lists found at the clerical schovl of chief priests. These priests guarded the sacred fire of the Goddess Hestia (Vesta). The street is decorated with fountains, monuments, statues, and galleries containing mosaics. On one side there are shops behind the columned porticoes.