Celsus Library

The Library of Celsus is one of the most striking structures in the Ancient City of Ephesus. Built during the Roman Imperial period, this library served both as a public information center and as a monumental tomb. The structure, one of the most magnificent libraries of the ancient world, stands out for its architectural embellishments and historical significance.

Foundation of the Library

The Library of Celsus was constructed between 110–135 CE. It was commissioned by Gaius Julius Aquila in honor of his father, Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, who served as proconsul of the province of Asia. The library also functions as a heroon, or hero shrine, built directly above Celsus’s tomb.

Inscriptions

Information about the library is derived from inscriptions on the structure. The inscription on the eastern façade states the following:

• The library was built at the expense of Aquila, in honor of Celsus.
• It was furnished with books, decorations and works of art.
• A legacy of 25,000 denarii was left for the preservation of the library and the acquisition of new books.
• The building was dedicated three times by Tiberius Claudius Ariston, who held the office of Asiarch.

Similar information is repeated on inscriptions above the architrave on the first floor of the façade.

Architectural Features

The library measures 21 meters in width and 17 meters in height. It is accessed via a nine-step staircase and rises on a vaulted substructure. The façade is richly decorated. Inside, there are two rows of rectangular niches, one above the other, along the rear and side walls.

The exterior façade is clad in marble, while the interior was constructed using brickwork. The architectural design of the façade is notable for its aedicule arrangement.

Sculptures

Four female statues once stood on the lower level of the library’s façade. They represent Sophia (wisdom), Arete (virtue, character), Ennoia (thought, fate), and Episteme (knowledge, science). The original statues are now on display at the Museum of Vienna.

Historical Development

The Library of Celsus was destroyed by an earthquake around 270 CE and was never rebuilt. During Late Antiquity, the remains of the façade were reused as the back wall of a street fountain. Between 1970 and 1978, the library was restored with financial support from A. Kallinger-Prskawetz.

Location

The Library of Celsus is located within the Ancient City of Ephesus, near the town of Selçuk, along the İzmir-Aydın highway, between the Aydın-Kuşadası routes. Ephesus is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.