|
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 pillars 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 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 content 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.
|
