Das Nymphaeum Traiani in Ephesos

The Nymphaeum Traiani, or the Trajan`s Fountain, which occupies a prominent location in the central section of the Curetes Street, is one of the major public monumental fountain installations of the ancient Roman city of Ephesus. According to epigraphic evidence, the nymphaeum dates between 102 and 114 A.D., and was dedicated to the goddess Artemis of Ephesus and the Roman emperor Trajan by the famous Ephesian Tiberius Claudius Aristion and his wife Julia Lydia Laterane. The rectangular main pool of the nymphaeum is surrounded on three sides by a two-storied aedicular façade that is designed in the mode of a theatrical scaenae frons with projecting side wings equipped with pavilions. Both stories of the façade were decorated with sculptures. In the first story, a colossal statue of the emperor Trajan occupied the main central bay, with slightly over-life-size statues installed in the side bays. The second story was decorated with smaller statues of two-thirds life-size. A narrower secondary pool or basin, stretching across the full length of the building, is located directly in front of the main pool. The inscription on the architraves of the building`s lower story indicates that water was provided by a two hundred and ten stadia long supply conduit, also commissioned by Aristion and his wife. The structure of the nymphaeum is the monumental terminus of this grand project. This monograph consists of eleven chapters and represents the first comprehensive treatment of Nymphaeum Traiani that is crucial for the development of fountain architecture in Roman Asia Minor. The introductory chapters deal with the methodological approaches and the history of research on this monument. The following section of the book focuses on the reconstruction of the building that includes a catalogue, drawings and photographs of all architectural components. Technical aspects concerning the construction as well as the building`s ornamentation are also discussed in comparison with contemporary monuments in Asia Minor. This is followed by a chapter that examines the donors of the fountain, Ti. Claudius Arisiton and Iulia Lydia Laterane. The last portion of the book discusses the water supply system and later alterations of the architecture. One chapter deals with the architectural history of aedicular façades of nymphaea and other building types in Roman Asia Minor and the Eastern Roman Empire. In the final chapter, the Nymphaeum Traiani is examined from the perspective of its context. The connection of the statuary display and the aedicular façade is the main function of this building type: Within the architecture, statues could be grouped and arranged in order to form a desired relationship with one another. Therefore, nymphaea of this type are ideally suited for the purpose of self-representation of the Roman elite in Asia Minor. The importance of the Nymphaeum Traiani lies not in its function as a fountain. It rather represents a symbolic terminus and celebration of the monumental aqueduct commissioned by Ti. Claudius Aristion and Iulia Lydia Laterane. The architectural form of this structure, especially its aedicular façade, is hardly necessary or suited for the withdrawal of drinking water. Instead, its architectural form provides an excellent venue for the purpose of self-representation of the Roman elite in Asia Minor. In short, the Nymphaeum Traiani is a monument that can be seen as a dedication to the honor of its donors and their benefactorship to city of Ephesus as well as their ties to the Roman emperor.