The famous Ephesus Library was situated to the south of the Agora. This elegant monument was built in A.D. 135 by Julius Aquila In memory of his father, Celsus Polemaeanus of Sardis, Roman Senator and Proconsul of the province of Asia.
After passing through a marble-paved courtyard twenty-one meters wide one reaches the main reading-room by nine wide marble steps. There are four bases for statues at the top of the staircase The floor of the main reading room is built on arched vaults and the inner and outer walls are separated by a corridor, thus protecting the library from damp.
The walls and floor of the room were completely faced with colored marble. Across the main reading room there was an exactly placed niche for offerings; to the right and left of the round niche and on the side walls were square niches containing cupboards to hold the rolled manuscripts. On the front of the Library of Ephesus there was a two-storied gallery.
A section sixteen meters high was very richly decorated with a raised column, door ornaments and sculptural architectural monuments, carving and decoration. These carvings are to be seen in the Vienna Museum.
In a burial chamber in the lower part of the library can be seen a decorated white marble tomb in which Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus was buried. The life of Celsus is related in Greek and Latin on the bases of the statues on each side of the library staircase.
History
The Library of Celsus was comissioned by the Consul Julius Aquila as a mausoleum for his father, Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, Roman governor of the Asian Provinces. It may be that Celsus was granted heroic honors, which would furthur justify the expense.
The monument was constructed between 110 and 135 AD, after which Celsus was buried in a niche on the right side of the back wall.
With a few centuries of its construction a fire destroyed the reading room and the library fell into disuse. Around 400 AD, the courtyard below the exterior steps was converted into a pool. The facade collapsed in an earthquake in the 10th century.
The Library of Celsus was raised from the rubble to its present splendid state by F. Hueber of the Austrian Archaeological Institute between 1970 and 1978.
What to See
Located next to the south gate, the Library of Celsus is 21m wide and over 16m high with a 2.4m-deep portico. The mausoleum-library originally had three stories, with galleries in the upper two stories.
Scrolls and codexes were stored in the niches, dispensed by a librarian. In total, 30 bookcases held about 12,000 scrolls. The reading room faced east in order to take advantage of the best light.
The lower niches of the facade contain four statues, which are through to represent Wisdom, Knowledge, Destiny, and Intelligence. These are replicas of the originals that are now in Vienna.
Latin and Greek inscriptions can be seen among the ruins of the library.
Quick Facts
- Names: Celsus Library; Library of Celsus
- Type of site: Mausoleum
- Faith: Roman
- Status: Ruins
- Dates: 110-35 AD
- Architecture: Classical
Great history here and a great photo opportunity. Don't be bashful about asking someone else to clik your camera because everyone is excited to help in this way. The Library is at the bottom of the hill as you tour Ephesus, and on a hot day you'll be glad to take a break here.
Nestled in the ancient city of Ephesus, is this imposing structure. The library stands tall and houses the beautiful statues of Sophia, Arête, Ennonia and Episteme. It is a double storied monument half all ruined, but the Corinthian columns and detailing on the walls are quite mesmerising.
The Celsus Library of Ephesus, named after the city’s former Roman governor and constructed in the 2nd century CE, was a repository of over 12,000 scrolls and one of the most impressive buildings in the Roman Empire.
Commissioned in 114 CE by Tiberius Julius Acquila, the library was built to commemorate his father Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, who had been, from 105 to 107 CE, the Roman proconsul of Ephesus, the then capital of Rome’s Asian province. Celsus had also been consul in Rome in 92 CE, where he was responsible for all public buildings. The library was probably completed in 117 CE. Celsus himself was entombed under the library in a lead coffin encased in a decorated marble sarcophagus.
The library stands at the corner of Curetes street and the Marble road at the very heart of the city, just to the left of the agora, near its monumental arched entrance. The library is a typical example of the architectural style prevalent in the period under Emperor Hadrian (76-138 CE). Resting on a nine-stepped podium 21m in length, the impressive surviving facade is richly decorated with relief carvings and has two stories – each with three pairs of columns capped with Corinthian capitals. The library had three entrance doorways flanked by four statues set back in niches. These figures with inscribed bases represented four qualities associated with the late governor: wisdom (sophia), intelligence (ennoia), knowledge (episteme) and virtue (arete).
The interior of the library measured 16.72m by 10.92m and was paved with decorated marble. The walls were lined with niches for storage of the scrolls. Running around the interior wall at second-story level, was a railed balcony giving access to higher level niches. In order to reduce humidity and create a more stable interior temperature (which would have damaged the precious texts within the library), empty niches were constructed inside the walls. The interior also contained a large alcove which contained a statue, probably of Celsus.
In 262 CE the library was destroyed by fire during a Gothic invasion. However, the facade survived and repairs were made to the library in the 4th century CE and a fountain added in front.
You can feel how the streets must have been in the library's heyday as you joustle with the other visitors. The building remnants give you a hint of the past glory, but you must use your imagination to complete the picture. The library is a "must see" in Ephesus.
This is a must see part of Ephesus if taking a cruise. Tons of people and you may even see the archeologists still digging in and around the ruins. Had an amazing tour guide, very knowledgable of this area. I wouldn't visit Ephesus without a tour guide. Recommended going after the summer heat there isn't much shade. Amazing !
It's so fantastic to see the library in such good condition! It's like being in ancient times, the statues are in a pretty good state and the structure itself is amazing! You can walk around the library and just about see the sarcophagus which was built below the library.
A wonderful reconstruction. Huge in its scope & fantastic architecture.
Ephesus is awe-inspiring and sometimes crowded. On the day we were there, 4 cruise ships were in port, one (ours) at Izmir and three in the port closer to Ephesus. By the time we arrived at Ephesus Celsus Library We were satisfied !
Well worth a visit. Took a tour after docking at Izmir. Steeped in history – classical and religious. St Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians and also an important religious centre for Islam. Stunning architecture. Can be hot so take care with young kids.
We arrived in Kusadasi by cruise ship and did a bus tour to Ephesus. Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us on a wonderful journey. The most amazing ruin was the Celsus Library, a beautiful structure that shows the talent of the builders from that time. This is the greatest restoration at Ephesus.