IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ
Συγγραφή :
,
Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα Μετάφραση :
Κόρκα Αρχοντή
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας
Για παραπομπή :
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας , Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα , "Ephesus
(Antiquity), Hadrian's Gate", Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Μείζονος Ελληνισμού, Μ. Ασία
URL: <http://www.ehw.gr/l.aspx?id=8236>
Περίληψη :
Hadrian’s Gate marks the junction of the three directions of the processional road (Embolos, the road to Ortygia and Marble
Street). Despite its name, its construction dates from the reign of Trajan (98-117). The gate had three levels and was decorated
with statues of gods and members of the imperial family. After the 4th century, it was partly converted into a reservoir.
Χρονολόγηση
2nd c. AD.
Γεωγραφικός Εντοπισμός
Ephesus
1. Location
At the west end of Couretes Street (Embolos), at the point where it meets Marble Street, there is a monumental arched gate, the socalled Hadrian’s Gate. It is located at an important point of the city of Ephesus and marks the junction of the three directions of the
processional road (Embolos, road to Ortygia and Marble Street).1 The gate had three levels, a central arched opening and rich
architectural decorations with pillars and columns in Corinthian and Composite order. Despite its name, its construction dates from
the reign of Trajan (98-117). According to researchers, the monument was destroyed possibly by an earthquake in the 3rd or 4th
century, along with other structures in the city.2
2. Architectural Description
The ground plan of the gate displayed three parts. It comprised three separate passages, with the middle being the widest and highest.
It was built mainly from white marble with grey veining, while the euthynteria (levelling course) was made from blue limestone and the
foundation demonstrated the opus caementitium technique.3 The edifice, which was 11.40 m wide and its original height exceeded
16.60 m, made a sharp contrast to the mere 1.68 m of the gate’s depth. As for typology, the monument does not seem to strictly
follow the shape of the ancient Greek propylon and the Roman arch. Nevertheless, it combined elements of both structures. From the
Greek propylon it borrowed the several openings for entering the area as well as a decoration with architectural elements that make it
look like a monument. From the Roman arch it borrowed the vaults and the elements of exaggeration, which make a great impression
through the rich decorations.4
The monument had three levels. Two smaller levels extended on both sides of the main opening of the first level. Columns on the north
and pillars that ended in half-columns on the south side, with capitals in Composite order, which combined elements of Corinthian and
Ionic order, supported the richly decorated entablature. The piles of the monuments stood on pedestals. On the second level there
was an arch at the centre, which was the dominant element of the composition. The arch was surrounded by pillars in alignment with
the supporting system of the first level. On the third level there was a colonnade with six supporting elements on each side. Columns
on the north and pillars with engaged half-columns on the south side bore Corinthian capitals. The piles supported the horizontal
recesses of the entablature, while a pedimental ridge existed in the middle. The pediment was of the Syrian type, because an arch was
inscribed on the triangular surface of the pediment.5 The architectural design of the third floor had common morphological elements
with Hadrian’s Gate of Athens. It is also considered that the monument of Athens was modelled on the Gate of Ephesus.6
As regards the iconographic programme, statues of gods, members of the imperial family, even of donors, must have been set up in
the openings and the intercolumniations of the gate’s second and third level. The statue of Artemis of Ephesus must have been the
most prominent one, as the sacred procession of the goddess passed through the gate. Possibly there were statues of Apollo and
Leto as well.7
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IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ
Συγγραφή :
,
Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα Μετάφραση :
Κόρκα Αρχοντή
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας
Για παραπομπή :
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας , Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα , "Ephesus
(Antiquity), Hadrian's Gate", Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Μείζονος Ελληνισμού, Μ. Ασία
URL: <http://www.ehw.gr/l.aspx?id=8236>
After the earthquake, in the late 3rd or 4th century, the monument was restored and converted into a fountain-like structure in order
to serve the new needs.8
3. Chronology and Identification
The construction of the gate was part of the project to embellish Marble Street, which served as a processional road. According to
the stylistic characteristics of the architectural elements and the decorative motifs, it is dated from between 113/114 and 127/128.
Details of the decorations are similar to details of other monuments in Ephesus, such as the Library of Celsus and the Temple of
Hadrian.9 There is little and fragmented epigraphic evidence related to the monument.10 The dedicative inscription11 dating from
116/117 is of particular importance; however, the name of the emperor to whom it was dedicated has not survived. For this reason,
the researchers are divided over whether the Gate of Ephesus was dedicated to Emperor Trajan or Emperor Hadrian.
In general, the construction of arches was directly connected with the emperor's visit to the city and the Roman idea of victory.
Therefore, the arches were monuments of imperial propaganda and promotion of the power of the state par excellence. This
particular monument was considered to have been dedicated to Emperor Trajan, victor of the Parthian Wars in the last years of his
reign.12 However, it is not clear whether the monument was completed before the death of the emperor (117) or during the reign of
his successor Hadrian. Therefore, it is estimated that the construction of the gate had started in honour of Emperor Trajan, while later
it was adjusted to the facts of imperial succession and was dedicated to the new emperor, Hadrian, either in 117 –when the latter
came to power– or in 123, on the occasion of his visit to Ephesus. Based on the aforementioned argumentation, the monument can
still be called Hadrian’s Gate.13
4. History of Research and Current Condition
Parts of the gate came to light for the first time circa 1904. Then the architect Wilberg carried out a study and presented the first
reconstruction of the monument. In 1944 design reconstructions were completed by the researchers Schottenhamel and Goeschel,
though they were not published, while the subsequent excavations in the near-by structures and the surrounding area revealed
architectural members belonging to the gate.
However, in the course of time the visitors of the archaeological site of Ephesus paid less attention to the monument, due to its
incomplete condition. For that reason, it was deemed necessary that it be completed and restored so that it could become as
distinguished as the other monuments of Ephesus. In 1986 Thur completed the theoretical restoration of the structure and in the
following year Hueber started the partial repair of monuments of the so-called Low Embolos area. Thur was responsible for the
rebuilding of the gate since 1992. The columns and the capitals of the first level were completed and positioned in 1994, while the
partial restoration was completed when the central arch was put in place.14
1. For the exact position of the monument, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 25‑28, pl. 1.
2. Alzinger, W., Die Ruinen von Ephesos (Berlin – Wien 1974), pp. 77‑78; Scherrer, P. (edit.), Ephesus. The New Guide (Vienna 2000), pp. 128‑
129.
3. Regarding the buildingʹs technique, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 63‑64.
4. About this theme, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 77‑84.
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IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ
Συγγραφή :
,
Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα Μετάφραση :
Κόρκα Αρχοντή
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας
Για παραπομπή :
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας , Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα , "Ephesus
(Antiquity), Hadrian's Gate", Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Μείζονος Ελληνισμού, Μ. Ασία
URL: <http://www.ehw.gr/l.aspx?id=8236>
5. On a detailed description of the architecture and decoration of the monument, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 29‑62, 87‑120. In general, for the arcuated pediment or Syrian pediment, see Ginouvés, R., Dictionnaire
Méthodique de l’Architecture Grecque et Romaine II (Roma 1992), p. 128, pl. 66.5‑6.
6. Regarding the comparison between the two monuments, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 84‑85. See also Ward‑Perkins, J.B., Roman Imperial Architecture (London – New Haven 1994), p. 297.
7. For the assumptions concerning the iconographical motifs of the monument, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 130‑131, 134. According to an inscription, Dimeas, who was a Christian, removed the statue of Artemis from the monument and added the sympol of cross. In addition, the cross was also carved on the arch. Thus, the structure was converted into a Christian monument; see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 129‑131.
8. About the restorations and interventions in the monument in Late Antiquity, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 121‑128.
9. See Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 133‑134.
10. In detail about the inscriptions related to the monument, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 69‑75.
11. See Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 69‑70.
12. Trajan left Rome in 113 and toured the cities of Asia Minor. It is likely that towards the late of the same year he visited Ephesus, the metropolis of
Asia. One year later (114), he arrived in Antioch on the Orontes. The emperor possibly died in 117 in Selinus of Cilicia. See Thur, H., Das Hadrianstor
in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), p. 134.
13. In detail about the matter, see Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 134‑136.
14. See Thür, H., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos (Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1, Wien 1989), pp. 19‑23; Wiplinger, G. – Wlach, G., Ephesus. 100
Years of Austrian Research (Vienna – Cologne – Weimar 1996), pp. 168‑169.
Βιβλιογραφία :
Scherrer, P. (ed.), Ephesus. The New Guide, Istanbul 2000
Hueber F., Ephesos. Gebaute Geschichte, Mainz am Rhein 1997, Sonderhefte der Antiken Welt
Wiplinger G., Wlach G., Ephesus. 100 Years of Austrian Research, Vienna – Cologne – Weimar 1996
Alzinger W., Die Ruinen von Ephesos, Wien 1974
Thür Η., Das Hadrianstor in Ephesos, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien
1990, Forschungen in Ephesos 11.1
Ward-Perkins J.B., Roman Imperial Architecture., London – New Haven 1981
Δικτυογραφία :
Ephesos- Gesamtplan
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IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ
Συγγραφή :
,
Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα Μετάφραση :
Κόρκα Αρχοντή
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας
Για παραπομπή :
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας , Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα , "Ephesus
(Antiquity), Hadrian's Gate", Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Μείζονος Ελληνισμού, Μ. Ασία
URL: <http://www.ehw.gr/l.aspx?id=8236>
http://homepage.univie.ac.at/elisabeth.trinkl/forum/forum0897/04plan.htm
Ephesos Kuretenstraße
http://www.oeaw.ac.at/antike/index.php?id=35&L=2
Ephesos, Plan
http://www.ephesos.at/geschichte/index_plan.html
Γλωσσάριo :
arch, the
A curved structure, as a masonry, that covers openings in the stonework and is capable to supports the weight of material over an open space, as in
a bridge, doorway, etc. It is often used as a decorative element.
capital
The uppermost part of a column or pillar crowning the shaft and supporting the entablature. The decoration of the capital characteristizes the ancient
greek orders of architecture. In Doric order the capitals are decorated with abacus and echinus, in Ionic with spiral scrolls (volutes), while the
corinthian capitals are composed of small corner volutes and a basket-shaped body decorated with rows of acanthus leaves.
composite order
It is a mixed order, developed in the late roman imperial period. Its capital combines the Corinthian acanthus leaf decoration with volutes from the
Ionic Order. It It may have unfluted shaft, while the details of the entablature resemble those of the Corinthian Order.
corinthian order
The most elaborate of the ancient greek architectural orders. It was developed in the 4th century BC in Greece and it was extensively used in Roman
architecture. It is similar to the Ionic order. Its capitals being four-sided and composed of a basket-shaped body decorated with volumes and rows of
acanthus leaves.
entablature, the
The upper part of the classical order, that rests on the columns, it consists of the architrave, frieze and cornice.
ionic order, the
An architectural order devised in Ionia and developed in Asia Minor and the Greek islands in the 6th century BC. Its columns have elaborately
moulded bases, fluted shafts (with fillets, ending in fillets), and volute capitals. The entablature consists of an three-fasciae archirave, a continuous
frieze, usually richly decorated with reliefs, and a cornice. The Ionic order was more elaborate in dimentions, comparing with the Doric.
opus caementicium
Roman technique of constructing structures using concrete. It was spread in the east part of the Roman Empire after 50 BC.
pediment, the
The triangular structure, over a building façade, between the horizontal entablature and the sloping roof, often decorated with sculptures, reliefs or
painted figures.
pillar
Pier of square or rectangular cross-section.
propylon
Monumental architectural entrance, most often to a sanctuary or a building complex.
Πηγές
Epigraphical evidence
1. IvE II 329, 3, (116/117 AD)
‑ ‑ ‑ ] νωι Καίσ [αρι ‑ ‑ 2. IvE II 422, A, (116/117 AD)
[τη]ς πλατείας της από του προπύλο[υ ‑‑‑ [ ….. γρ]α[μ]ματεύοντος του [δήμου ‑‑‑ 3. IvE VII, 2, 4133, 4143, (7th c. AD)
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IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ
Συγγραφή :
,
Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα Μετάφραση :
Κόρκα Αρχοντή
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας
Για παραπομπή :
Δαλαβέρας Ανδρέας , Ντόουσον Μαρία - Δήμητρα , "Ephesus
(Antiquity), Hadrian's Gate", Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Μείζονος Ελληνισμού, Μ. Ασία
URL: <http://www.ehw.gr/l.aspx?id=8236>
+ [ ‑‑‑‑‑‑ ca. 40 ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑] ΣΕΒ [ ‑‑‑‑‑ ca. 30 ‑‑‑‑] ‑‑‑‑ προ]πυ[λ‑‑‑ 4. IvE IV 1192, 3, (606‑610 AD)
[Χρισ]τια[νών] βασιλέων και πρασίνων
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