Ephesus, Turkey Part 2

The Gate of Hercules

Ephesus

The Gate of Hercules is located at the beginning of Curetes Street. It is decorated with reliefs of Hercules and was built during the 4th Century A.D. Note that the gate narrowed the street and blocked wagons and other traffic from entering Curetes Street.

 Curetes Street

During the Roman Empire, the priests dealing with both religious and state affairs were called curetes. The names of the curetes were inscribed on  the bases of the columns found at the beginning of the street, hence the Curetes Street.

 Much of Curetes Street had elegant marble mosiacs, therefore tourists (and the previously mentioned blocked wagons) were prevented from walking on the beautiful designs.

 Cats are the exception. They do as they please.

And what is Christine admiring?

 Another great mosiac on the street.

 Trajan Fountain

The fountain was erected between 102 and 104 A.D. and was dedicated to the Emperor Trajan.

Temple of Hadrian

Built between 117 and 138 A.D., the Temple of Hadrian is one of the more attractive edifices on the Curetes Street.

 

 Over the two colums in the middle, the bust of Tyche, the goddess of the city, is depicted in the center of the arch. (Unfortunately, it is too fuzzy to see).

 On the second semi-circular frontal over the door, the figure of a maiden resembling Medusa is depicted among flowers and acanthus leaves. 

Terrace House

Part of a residential unit divided into six parcels located on Curetes Street.

Temple of Domitian

The temple was dedicated to Emperor Domitian (82-96). Not much is left of the temple now. In its day, it consisted of thirteen columns at the long sides and eight columns at the short sides. The ground floor of the building contained warehouses and shops.

We are nearing the Celsus library and the grand stadium. Of course I took a lot of pictures as these were two of the highlights of the tour.

Therefore, lest this get too long and everyone else and I join this cat, we will have to start another series on the epic Ephesus tour.