During the Emperor Augustus period, the stoa to the north of the State Agora was converted to a Basilica. This was a 160m long building with a wood covered roof and and located on the northern part of the state agora.
Later on during the Emperor Augustan period column heads were changed from Ionic style to Corinthian style. Some of these columns are still intact, the stoa on which this basilica was built was found to be buried approximately 1.4m below ground. There was another stoa next to the basilica giving access to the building through three separate gates.
The Ionic columns in the basilica are adorned with bulls’ head figures dating to the 1st century A.D, this stoa was restored and reshaped during the Byzantine period. The statues of emperor Augustus and his wife Livia statues are display in the Ephesus Museum Selcuk found at the Basilica.
The Basilica refers to a roofed building usually with two parallel rows of columns that make three aisles for people to walk down. In Roman cities, this is where for stock exchange and commercial business, meetings of the law courts were also held there in the basilica. This basic architectural design was the inspiration for many of the Catholic churches built later – thus, the name “basilica” is used. Behind the basilica is a small amphitheater where the local senate met.
The Basilica in Ephesus was rebuilt for the last time during the reign of the Emperor Agustus than destroyed by an earthquake in the middle of the Fourth Century AD.
Basilica in Ephesus
Typical roman Basilica is 160 meters long and located on the northern part of the state agora used for stock exchange and commercial business.