DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.24719#0110
THE TEMPLE OF VENUS AT APHRODISIAS.
89
We will not allude to the horrors that were perpetrated in this sanctuary of Venus,
which the pen of Eusebius paints in such sombre colours.1 The active surveillance of
Constantine wras employed in the suppression of these sanctuaries, so notorious throughout
Asia; but they were not all demolished, the town of Venus (Aphrodisias) preserved its
temple. This was the edifice which the Christians converted into a church at some period
between tbe reigns of Constantine and Theodosius. The name of the town was changed from
Aphrodisias to Tauropolis, the Town of Taurus, in the time of Constantins, and later into
Stauropolis, the Town of the Cross. The walls of the town were rebuilt by Constantius of
materials taken from the ancient edifices. An inscription placed over the north gate, on the
side facing the town, proves that in the 4th century the name of Aphrodisias was already
abolished; that Christian emblems were openly exhibited upon public buildings;2 and that the
Christian community was then flourishing in the province.
The Temple of Venus, which the Greeks had adorned with all the elegance and grace of
ancient art, was octostyle and pseudo-dipteral; many of the columns had been presented by
eminent citizens, and tablets sculptured upon them mention that they were dedicated to the
divinity of the place.
When the Christians converted this edifice into a church, they made a remarkable change
in it. The cel la was entirely demolished, the columns of the postievm were removed and
placed in a line with the lateral columns, the number of which was thus increased to eighteen
on each side. This vast Ionic colonnade was then enclosed by walls, in such a manner
that a large space was left between the walls and the columns, so as to form a nave and
two aisles. At the end a semicircular apse, which still exists, was erected.
Scale
PLAN OF THE TEMPLE OF VENUS AT APHRODISIAS.
The entrance to the temple was formed into a narthex, where the new converts were
received. In short, the whole physiognomy of the Greek buildin
was
transformed, and
it became a basilica; probably one of the first appropriated to Christian worship. The colonnade
of the peribolus, which formerly had contained the residences of the pagan priests, was
preserved. Thus the town was not deprived of an edifice which was one of the principal works
of antiquity. The name of Aphrodisias was not even effaced from the tablets.
We can still admire the noble order of the Greek temple, and trace the alterations it has
undergone in the hands of Christians. The frieze of the lateral colonnade was removed, and
upon the architrave, which is still in place, was raised a wall, which was pierced with a window
above each intercolumniation: upon this wall were placed the timbers of the roof. Thus
Life of Constantine, book iii. cli. 55.
2 See Plate of Inscriptions.
2 A
89
We will not allude to the horrors that were perpetrated in this sanctuary of Venus,
which the pen of Eusebius paints in such sombre colours.1 The active surveillance of
Constantine wras employed in the suppression of these sanctuaries, so notorious throughout
Asia; but they were not all demolished, the town of Venus (Aphrodisias) preserved its
temple. This was the edifice which the Christians converted into a church at some period
between tbe reigns of Constantine and Theodosius. The name of the town was changed from
Aphrodisias to Tauropolis, the Town of Taurus, in the time of Constantins, and later into
Stauropolis, the Town of the Cross. The walls of the town were rebuilt by Constantius of
materials taken from the ancient edifices. An inscription placed over the north gate, on the
side facing the town, proves that in the 4th century the name of Aphrodisias was already
abolished; that Christian emblems were openly exhibited upon public buildings;2 and that the
Christian community was then flourishing in the province.
The Temple of Venus, which the Greeks had adorned with all the elegance and grace of
ancient art, was octostyle and pseudo-dipteral; many of the columns had been presented by
eminent citizens, and tablets sculptured upon them mention that they were dedicated to the
divinity of the place.
When the Christians converted this edifice into a church, they made a remarkable change
in it. The cel la was entirely demolished, the columns of the postievm were removed and
placed in a line with the lateral columns, the number of which was thus increased to eighteen
on each side. This vast Ionic colonnade was then enclosed by walls, in such a manner
that a large space was left between the walls and the columns, so as to form a nave and
two aisles. At the end a semicircular apse, which still exists, was erected.
Scale
PLAN OF THE TEMPLE OF VENUS AT APHRODISIAS.
The entrance to the temple was formed into a narthex, where the new converts were
received. In short, the whole physiognomy of the Greek buildin
was
transformed, and
it became a basilica; probably one of the first appropriated to Christian worship. The colonnade
of the peribolus, which formerly had contained the residences of the pagan priests, was
preserved. Thus the town was not deprived of an edifice which was one of the principal works
of antiquity. The name of Aphrodisias was not even effaced from the tablets.
We can still admire the noble order of the Greek temple, and trace the alterations it has
undergone in the hands of Christians. The frieze of the lateral colonnade was removed, and
upon the architrave, which is still in place, was raised a wall, which was pierced with a window
above each intercolumniation: upon this wall were placed the timbers of the roof. Thus
Life of Constantine, book iii. cli. 55.
2 See Plate of Inscriptions.
2 A