The City Where Beauty Became Immortal in Marble: Aphrodisias

The goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, is the namesake of a magnificent ancient city on the southwest coast of Türkiye on the Mediterranean. Aphrodisias is the city where the beauties befitting the goddess were produced centuries ago. The city, known for the school of sculpture it hosted between the 1st and 3rd centuries, became one of the most important centers of science and art in the ancient world.

Founded as a city-state in the early 2nd century BC, Aphrodisias later became a city that was granted tax privileges and autonomy by the Roman Senate, which strengthened its power. This must have contributed to life in the city, which played a central role in the cult of Aphrodite, becoming more focused on art and esthetics. Of course, the marble quarries in the north-east of the city created the conditions for the magnificent marble structures and statues that reach us today, and for the city to become almost the most famous sculpture workshop in the whole of Rome in the later periods of antiquity.

The unique interpretation of the goddess Aphrodite, who gave the city its identity, also gives an idea of the unique cosmopolitan structure of the city. The statue of the goddess in the city's Temple of Aphrodite, which resembles a synthesis of the Hellenistic Aphrodite and the traditional fertility goddess figures of Anatolia, points to the unique cosmopolitan structure of Aphrodisias. The influence of the Aphrodite cult in the city is so strong that it did not lose its significance even after the official recognition of Christianity by the Roman Empire. The temple of Aphrodite was not converted into a church until the 6th century.

Let us take a closer look at the legacy that has survived from the inhabitants of Aphrodisias, who cherished the goddess of love and beauty and the beliefs associated with her, and some of whom were great artists.

Unique Sites of Aphrodisias

Tetrapylon

The Tetrapylon is probably one of the structures that the inhabitants of Aphrodisias built solely to increase the esthetic value and splendor of their city. This structure with four columns on each side has very rich examples of sculpture. It is believed to have been the place where the processions gathered to go to the temple.

Stadium

The Stadium, one of the best-preserved structures in Aphrodisias, is one of the most magnificent and important ancient structures in the world, with a capacity of 30,000. In the days when Aphrodisias was an active city, you must have seen this magnificent structure, where mainly athletics games were held.

Theater

Dating back to the first half of the 1st century, the theater of Aphrodisias is the oldest three-story stage building in Anatolia. The theater has a capacity of 8,000 seats, and inscriptions on the walls of the stage building reveal important facts about the history of Aphrodisias.

Sebasteion

Sebasteion is a temple complex dedicated to the Julio-Claudian dynasty and represents the first five rulers of Rome. Consisting of three main structures, the monument features magnificent reliefs and decorative panels on both the inner and outer column capitals.

Odeon

The Odeon is located to the south of the Temple of Aphrodite and was probably used for concerts, lectures and various performances. Senate meetings were also held here until the early 5th century and sports competitions in the following years. The names of those who were successful in these competitions are inscribed on the upper part of the stage building.

Temple of Aphrodite

Now we come to the most important structure of the ancient city, the Temple of Aphrodite. This temple with its fourteen magnificent columns, which still stand today, is built in the Ionic style typical of Anatolia. Built entirely of marble, the temple is a fascinating structure that keeps alive the memory of the goddess of love and beauty who gave Aphrodisias its true identity. This unique temple, of which most of the outer walls and the apse have been preserved to this day, is a must-see.

Aphrodisias Museum

The Aphrodisias Museum, within the boundaries of the ancient city, exhibits magnificent pieces that were an important center of artistic production in the city for centuries. Sculptures from the famous sculpture school of Aphrodisias, reliefs from the monumental tomb of the second founder of the city, Zolios, the statue depicting a tragic scene from the Trojan War, Achilles and Pentasilla and the satyr statues carrying Dionysus are among the museum's remarkable pieces.

Aphrodisias Ancient City is one of the most impressive testimonies to human history and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The best way to get to know this unique ancient city is, of course, to visit it in Türkiye. We welcome you to Türkiye for this unique experience.