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Magnesia on the Meander 177 pictures 8.5 minutes HQ video Located 12 km south of Ephesus , Magnesia is an impressive site. In the 4th century B.C. Magnesia was ruled by the Persians until it rebelled and voluntarily joined Alexander the Great's side in 334 BC. Thereafter it fell under the control of his generals and successors who created kingdoms for themselves in various parts of the former Persian Empire. In the Roman period the population of Magnesia undoubtedly grew since the city expanded outside its walls and spread across to the other bank of the Gumus Cay. On a coin of Magnesia issued in the reign of Gordian III (238-244) the city proclaims itself as the 7^th city of Asia, a fact that may perhaps be connected with its apparent growth in the first half of the 3rd century. The city gained importance and power by virtue of its status as a religious center. In the 17 A.D. a major earthquake struck Asia Minor. Between 17-29 A.D. Emperor Tiberius helped with the reconstruction of the city. In the Byzantine era, Magnesia was the seat of a bishopric. The Theater The existence of the entrance at the middle and the prohedrie (special sitting niches) on both sides of the podium indicate that the building has a different type of theater design. Therefore it is called as "theatron" (seating tribune). Its exact function is not known. It is also an unfinished building. This can be seen in the different completion phases of the substructure from right to left and different finishing on the marble blocks. It has a capacity of 4700 people. Temple of Artemis The forth largest temple in Anatolia from the Hellenistic period. This earliest psuedodipteral (looks like a dipteral) Ionic building, designed by Hermogenes, faces west with 15 x 8 columns and a stylobate measuring 41 x 67 meters. The 175 meters long figural frieze, depicting amazonomachy, and the attic column bases, are the earliest in Anatolya. The Market Basilica It was built in the 2^nd century A.D., and was probably connected with the market (Agora). It has two aisles, two store-rooms and a pasis at the south side. In the Byzantine period it was used as a church. Agora Propylon The market gate, from the 1^st century B.C., connected the Agora with the sanctuary of Artemis (Artemision). It was an ionic, double sided building and had two aiseles with ten columns and six pillars. Latrine (Public Toilets) A vestibule with a pool; in the second room there are two fountains, benches for sitting along the three sides for approximately 20-25 people, run-off water to cleanse before the bench and running water under the seating to carry refuse from there. The Altar of the Artemis-Temple It stood before the west front of the temple, only the foundation is now visible. It was probably a U-shaped building with huge reliefs, four of which are in Berlin now. The Gymnasium The Roman Baths Back to Turkey Index