Aphrodisias Museum of Turkey

Aphrodisias Museum is situated in the ancient city of Geyre in Aydin province. The museum exhibits a collection of artifacts, coins, and sculptures unearthed during excavations carried out at the ancient city of Aphrodisias.

Aphrodisias: The Lost City of Sculptures

The site of Aphrodisias has been sacred since the 7th millennium BC, when Neolithic farmers came here to worship the Mother Goddess of fertility and crops. In Greek times, the location was dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of affection and fertility. The location was named Aphrodisias during the 2nd century BC, and therefore the great Temple of Aphrodite was built in the first century BC.

The cult of Aphrodite at Aphrodisias was different and specific, following the goddess' ancient origins and commonalities with other Anatolian gods (such as Artemis of Ephesus) while also taking in familiar Greco-Roman themes that made her universal.

For centuries Aphrodisias consisted of just the shrine, but when the Romans defeated the Pontic ruler Mithridates in 74 BC, Aphrodisias was rewarded for its loyalty and began to prosper. Sulla and public leaders were believers of Venus and favored her city, and also the emperor Augustus awarded it the high opportunities of autonomy and tax-free status.

Exploring Aphrodisias 

Thereafter it became a cultural and artistic hub known for its exquisite marble sculptures made of quarries of lovely white and blue-gray marble that lay a couple of miles east of town. Sculptures produced in Aphrodisias were exported as far as the geographic area and Rome. Aphrodisias remained a pagan center long after the introduction of Christianity to the world, but it had been eventually renamed Stavropolis ("city of the cross") than Caria after the historical region.

During the Byzantine era, Aphrodisias/ Stavropolis became the seat of the metropolitan bishop of Caria, and therefore the Temple of Aphrodite was a Christian basilica. It had been a serious undertaking, unique among all temple-to-church conversions. Walls and columns were destroyed and reused to expand and modify the building. The columns of the front and back of the temple were wont to extend the side colonnades, creating two long rows of 19 columns each.

The cellar of the temple was also dismantled, with its stone reused within the construction of recent walls on all sides. The church was renovated within the middle Byzantine era and stood for hundreds of years until it was destroyed, possibly within the Seljuk raids of the late 12th century. The town faded into obscurity and today is an element of the Turkish village of Geyre. As part of Turkey Tours, Aphrodisias offers travelers a glimpse into ancient artistry, religious transformation, and architectural grandeur.

Visiting Aphrodisias Ancient City Museum

The Aphrodisias Museum displays a number of the city's famous marble sculptures. It also includes the cult statue of Aphrodite that stood within the temple, which is exclusive and interesting. Excavators of Aphrodisias describe the statue as follows: the Aphrodisian goddess stands during a stiff frontal pose, along with her upper arms pressed near her body and her hands extended forward.

Her most distinctive attribute is her heavy overgarment (known as an ependytes), which conceals most of her body. The front of this garment is split into horizontal zones, each of which is full of complex figural reliefs. It's this series of reliefs that distinguishes the Aphrodisian goddess and shows her individual significance. Each motif symbolizes a part of the goddess's divine identity and mythological sphere of power; they include the three Graces, Selene, Helios, erotes, and Aphrodite herself, depicted not in her distinctive local guise but during a more traditional Hellenistic mode of presentation: half-nude and seated on a sea goat, accompanied by a dolphin and a triton. Today, it stands as one of the most fascinating Turkey attractions, drawing visitors eager to explore its well-preserved ruins.

What to see at The Aphrodisias Museum

One of the museum's notable exhibits is the Melpomene Room in the museum featuring statues that symbolize Melpomene, tragic muse, and Apollo, art and music god. The room illustrates the role played by theatre arts in the life of Aphrodisias.

The other giant part is the Odeon Hall, in which there are statues of lying poets and sportsmen that supply data regarding cultural and sports events of the antique inhabitants. Also on display here are unfinished statues, revealing information on the craft and steps in ancient sculptor procedures.

There are also presented in the museum a series of busts portraying some of the greatest ancient philosophers and statesmen, testifying to the city's intellectual grandeur at its heyday. Additionally, there are reliefs from the tomb of Zoilos, a famous patron of Aphrodisias, which portray the artistic height that was attained under the Augustan era. For those interested in learning about the daily life of Aphrodisians, the museum has exhibitions of artifacts across various periods, including coins, ceramics, and tools, that present a whole picture of the city's chronological history during your journey.

FAQS

Q1. Where is Aphrodisias Museum located?

The Aphrodisias Museum is situated in the ancient city of Aphrodisias, near the modern village of Geyre in Turkey’s Aydın Province. It houses artifacts excavated from the site, showcasing the city's rich artistic and cultural history.

Q2. What can visitors see at the Aphrodisias Ancient City Museum?

The Aphrodisias Museum displays an impressive collection of marble sculptures, including statues of gods, emperors, and philosophers. Visitors can also explore intricately carved relief panels from the Sebasteion, showcasing the fusion of Roman and local artistic traditions.

Q3. Is The Aphrodisias Museum worth visiting?

Absolutely! The Aphrodisias Museum offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites up close. Its well-preserved statues, inscriptions, and architectural fragments make it a must-visit for history and art enthusiasts alike.

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