Temple of Artemis at Kyzicos? Actually Temple of Hadrian (Hadrian Temple) at Kyzikos, Erdek
Kyzikos Hadrian Tapınağı · Kyzikos Hadrian Temple · Erdek Hadrian Tapınağı
Roman Imperial (Hadrianic)·Roman Mysia (Kyzikos neocorate)·🇹🇷 Balıkesir, Erdek, Kapıdağ Peninsula (ancient Kyzikos), Turkey
About
About Temple of Artemis at Kyzicos? Actually Temple of Hadrian (Hadrian Temple) at Kyzikos, Erdek
Colossal Corinthian Imperial temple on the isthmus city Kyzikos joining Kapıdağ tombolo to Anatolia, facing the Sea of Marmara and memorialized on Kyzikene cistophoric coins. 50×92 m, 8×16 columns 20 m high) praised by Aristides and Cassius Dio; earthquake 1063 collapsed it. Only Cyclopean foundations, a vaulted cryptoporticus and scattered column drums remain in a hazelnut orchard, with 2-m Corinthian capitals and Hadrianic portrait heads in Erdek museum.
The adjacent Roman bridge and city walls demonstrate isthmus urbanism rivaling Ephesus. Excavated sporadically 1880s–2000s but overbuilt by modern Erdek.
Why it mattersLargest Marmara temple showing Hadrianic provincial neocorate rivalry; Marmara marble trade centrepiece.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Column height 20 vs 24 m debate
- 02Cult double — Hadrian-Zeus and Artemis
Theories
- 01Marmara sea-lane prestige temple for grain fleet
- 02Earthquake adaptive vault design
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.130–161 CE (Hadrian to Antoninus)
- Period
- Roman Imperial (Hadrianic)
- Culture
- Roman Mysia (Kyzikos neocorate)
- Builders
- Kyzikene elite and Imperial architects under Hadrian
- Purpose
- Imperial cult temple for Hadrian as Zeus plus Artemis city goddess
- Abandoned
- 1063 earthquake collapse; stone quarried for Erdek
- Rediscovered
- 1880s Hasluck; 1920s Mendel; 2000s Erdek Museum rescue
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
130 CE
Hadrian grants Kyzikos neocorate; temple start
161 CE
Dedication under Antoninus
1063
North Anatolian fault earthquake destroys temple
2005
Georadar reveals cryptoporticus vault 60 m
On the ground
Structures & features
40.3830° N · 27.8890° E · 25 m · 2 mapped features
Cryptoporticus and Podium
podium vault60-m vaulted cryptoporticus under southwest podium
40.3835° N · 27.8895° EColumn Drum Field
architectural scatterOrchard scatter of 2.2-m diameter drums and 2-m Corinthian capital
40.3825° N · 27.8885° E