DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4692#0056
APHRODISIAS^ 47
In the interior there was a simple surbase of rusticated courses fifteen in height. Above these was a cornice,
forming a species of tablet. Above this, the wall was smooth, and probably had been ornamented with
paintings.
In the pronaos to the right is the celebrated inscription in six. equal columns. The windows were formed
in more recent times, when the temple was converted into a church.
Plate XXV.
CAPITALS OE PILASTER, WITH A PORTION OF THE ERIEZE.
Fig- 1.—The character of the foliage of the capital shows clearly that the order of the temple was Corinthian.
There is a single row of acanthus-flowers above the astragal, and above them a genius with extended wings,
crowned with laurel. This elegant figure is clad in a chlamys. The frieze of the cella ranges with the
capitals, and affords a beautiful example of ornamental foliage.
Fig. 2.—The base is Attic, and ranges with the base-mould of the cella. The cavetto of this moulding is
ornamented with palm-leaves quite of a Greek character.
Eig. 3.—Section of base-mould.
Eig. 4.—Band ornamented with Greek fret.
A PH ROD I SI AS.1
J"N many of the towns of Asia the temples were converted into churches by slight modification.
This was the case with the Temple of Venus at Aphrodisias, as we have stated in another work ;2 and
to this fact is owing the preservation of the remains. The temple was octastyle and peripteral, of the Ionic
order, equalling in style the best buildings in Asia Minor. When it was converted into a church, the
columns in the front were removed and placed so as to range with those at the sides. A hemicycle was erected
forming the apse, and an external wall was carried round the building at some distance from the external
range of columns, so as to form a nave with double aisles on each side. In the present day many of these
columns are still standing, some of them entire, others to the height of several feet above the ground, in
two parallel lines, containing originally eighteen columns each. In most there were originally but fifteen on each
side. The architecture is Graaco-Roman. Upon the columns there are tablets with inscriptions, but they
afford no clue to the date of the edifice, except that they show that it was erected during the Roman
dominion.
The temple stood in the centre of a large peribolus, which had coupled columns of the Corinthian order,
supporting pediments, alternatively curved and triangular. Between the columns were niches with pilasters.
Before the temple stood a range of small Corinthian columns forming a separation between the outer
and inner temenos, and in front of these were pedestals, having upon them the bases of other columns; to
the right and left of these were two large marble basins, and in front statues of recumbent lions.
There appeared to be no traces of porticos nor residences of priests within the enclosure.
Aphrodisias is situated in a fertile plan in the neighbourhood of Mount Cadmus. The town was
founded by the Leleges, and was at first called Lelegopolis. We find also upon its earliest coins and
inscriptions the name of Plarasa. The worship of Venus, which was celebrated here, gained it considerable
repute in the times of the emperors. When the Christian religion spread through the province, not only
the worship of the goddess, but the name of the town, was suppressed, and the city of Venus became Stauropolis,
or the City of the Cross, and under the Emperor Leo I. it was made the capital of Caria.
The right of asylum was one of the chief privileges enjoyed by the Temple of Venus in this place.
This was originally limited to the temenos; but when Mithridates was master of the province, he extended
the boundary, and Antony doubled it. When this privilege was abolished in the reign of Tiberius, the
citizens made strenuous efforts to have it re-established, and finally succeeded, as we learn from an in-
scription still existing.
1 Abridged from Texier's Asie Mmeure. " See Byztmtim Architecture, by Texier and Pulkn, )>. 89.
In the interior there was a simple surbase of rusticated courses fifteen in height. Above these was a cornice,
forming a species of tablet. Above this, the wall was smooth, and probably had been ornamented with
paintings.
In the pronaos to the right is the celebrated inscription in six. equal columns. The windows were formed
in more recent times, when the temple was converted into a church.
Plate XXV.
CAPITALS OE PILASTER, WITH A PORTION OF THE ERIEZE.
Fig- 1.—The character of the foliage of the capital shows clearly that the order of the temple was Corinthian.
There is a single row of acanthus-flowers above the astragal, and above them a genius with extended wings,
crowned with laurel. This elegant figure is clad in a chlamys. The frieze of the cella ranges with the
capitals, and affords a beautiful example of ornamental foliage.
Fig. 2.—The base is Attic, and ranges with the base-mould of the cella. The cavetto of this moulding is
ornamented with palm-leaves quite of a Greek character.
Eig. 3.—Section of base-mould.
Eig. 4.—Band ornamented with Greek fret.
A PH ROD I SI AS.1
J"N many of the towns of Asia the temples were converted into churches by slight modification.
This was the case with the Temple of Venus at Aphrodisias, as we have stated in another work ;2 and
to this fact is owing the preservation of the remains. The temple was octastyle and peripteral, of the Ionic
order, equalling in style the best buildings in Asia Minor. When it was converted into a church, the
columns in the front were removed and placed so as to range with those at the sides. A hemicycle was erected
forming the apse, and an external wall was carried round the building at some distance from the external
range of columns, so as to form a nave with double aisles on each side. In the present day many of these
columns are still standing, some of them entire, others to the height of several feet above the ground, in
two parallel lines, containing originally eighteen columns each. In most there were originally but fifteen on each
side. The architecture is Graaco-Roman. Upon the columns there are tablets with inscriptions, but they
afford no clue to the date of the edifice, except that they show that it was erected during the Roman
dominion.
The temple stood in the centre of a large peribolus, which had coupled columns of the Corinthian order,
supporting pediments, alternatively curved and triangular. Between the columns were niches with pilasters.
Before the temple stood a range of small Corinthian columns forming a separation between the outer
and inner temenos, and in front of these were pedestals, having upon them the bases of other columns; to
the right and left of these were two large marble basins, and in front statues of recumbent lions.
There appeared to be no traces of porticos nor residences of priests within the enclosure.
Aphrodisias is situated in a fertile plan in the neighbourhood of Mount Cadmus. The town was
founded by the Leleges, and was at first called Lelegopolis. We find also upon its earliest coins and
inscriptions the name of Plarasa. The worship of Venus, which was celebrated here, gained it considerable
repute in the times of the emperors. When the Christian religion spread through the province, not only
the worship of the goddess, but the name of the town, was suppressed, and the city of Venus became Stauropolis,
or the City of the Cross, and under the Emperor Leo I. it was made the capital of Caria.
The right of asylum was one of the chief privileges enjoyed by the Temple of Venus in this place.
This was originally limited to the temenos; but when Mithridates was master of the province, he extended
the boundary, and Antony doubled it. When this privilege was abolished in the reign of Tiberius, the
citizens made strenuous efforts to have it re-established, and finally succeeded, as we learn from an in-
scription still existing.
1 Abridged from Texier's Asie Mmeure. " See Byztmtim Architecture, by Texier and Pulkn, )>. 89.