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Tiberius-Portico And Agora Gate
When we look to the north from the theater, we can see all
of the important structures of Aphrodisias. The wide place that is right below
the theater and which has a large pool in its middle, calls itself
Tiberius-Portico. The name of this place, which is surrounded with pilÂlars and
Porticos, originates from an inscription on the northern architrave, which means
that the building was devoted to the Emperor Tiberius. A pool is situated in the
middle of the Porticos, 260 m long, 25 m wide and 1.20 m deep. This pool was
constructed during the 2nd century AD, after an earthquake, during which this
area was flooded and the pool was to control potential floods. At the same time
this pool served as a water reservoir for the Hadrian baths. Access water was
conducted into the drainage of the city by the surrounded channel network. There
are various viewpoints concerning the function of this Portico. In one
viewpoint, it was a high school in which sport and development were taught. The
blocks, which cover the pool, surrounding canal, have
taken |
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the form of theater seat series. When the weather was good, jogging
and the training was conducted around the pool, and when the weather was bad, it
was conducted under the Porticos.
In another viewpoint, it represented a park for walking and
leisure with a refreshing water pool in the middle. People who were on their way
from the temple and Odeon to the theater generally passed through this place.
The frescoes on the architrave of the Tiberius Portico are very rich. These
frescoes which consist of various heads include an astonishing conÂtent of
various themes.
The monument building east of Portico is called Agora gate.
However, this building was never used as a gate. Most likely, this building was
used as a well during the flooding of Portico. For these reasons, blocks barred
the stairs leading to the Portico. In addition, a pool was added into the
Portico in the front of the building. The Agora gate is a spectacular building
both by its architecture and by its frescoes. |
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