Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias · Aphrodisias of Caria · City of Aphrodite · Geyre
Late Bronze Age to Byzantine (c.3000 BCE–12th century CE; peak Julio-Claudian to Severan)·Carian → Hellenistic Greek → Roman → Byzantine·🇹🇷 Aydın Province, Caria (Maeander valley), Turkey
About
About Aphrodisias
Carian marble-city sacred to Aphrodite whose 30,000-seat stadium (270 m) is the best-preserved in the Mediterranean, while the Tetrapylon gate, Sebasteion reliefs (Augustus–Nero propaganda) and the converted Temple of Aphrodite (14 Ionic columns still in Christian basilica nave) showcase sculptors' quarter exploitation of nearby Göktepe marble. The Aphrodisian school signed works as far as Rome; the site remained classical in plan into Byzantium, yielding extraordinary late-antique statue cycling and philosophers' archives.
Why it mattersOnly intact Roman stadium and Sebasteion; defines Aphrodisian sculptural school.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why stadium so oversized vs city population?
- 02Pagan philosophy school survival into Christian city — accommodation?
Theories
- 01Imperial patronage for marble quarries made Aphrodisias a status sculptor brand
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Bronze Age tell; Hellenistic city 3rd c. BCE; Roman monumental phase 1st c. BCE–3rd c. CE
- Period
- Late Bronze Age to Byzantine (c.3000 BCE–12th century CE; peak Julio-Claudian to Severan)
- Culture
- Carian → Hellenistic Greek → Roman → Byzantine
- Builders
- Aphrodisians under Zoilos the freedman (Augustan donor), Julio-Claudian Sebasteion patrons
- Purpose
- Cult center of Aphrodite and high-imperial marble sculpture capital
- Abandoned
- c.12th century CE (Seljuk frontier; earthquakes 4th & 7th c.)
- Rediscovered
- 1904 Paul Gaudin; 1961 Kenan Erim (NYU) excavations
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
39 BCE
Granted freedom by Antony's decree (Aphrodisian charter)
20–60 CE
Sebasteion Augustan reliefs carved
2017
UNESCO World Heritage inscription 1519
On the ground
Structures & features
37.7100° N · 28.7264° E · 600 m · 4 mapped features
Stadium (30,000 seats)
stadium270 m double-ended stadium with preserved sphendone
37.7095° N · 28.7275° ETemple of Aphrodite / Basilica
templeIonic temple 39×17 m converted to basilica, 14 columns standing
37.7103° N · 28.7258° ESebasteion propylon reliefs
monumentTwo-storey Julio-Claudian propaganda façade with 80+ reliefs
37.7108° N · 28.7262° ETetrapylon
gateRe-erected Corinthian tetrapylon gate
37.7112° N · 28.7249° E
Gallery