The Fountain of C. Laecanius Bassus at Ephesos

The project`s goal is the documentation and presentation of a monumental fountain in the center of Roman imperial Ephesos (Turkey) - including its sculptural decoration - to be published in "Forschungen in Ephesos". The study of this monument and its decoration is especially rewarding for the following reasons: it can be dated precisely according to the honorary inscription for the governor Bassus (80/81 A.D.); typologically, it is one of the first monumental fountains featuring three facades surrounding the basin ("Fassadennymphaeum"); a substantiated reconstruction is possible due to the preservation of approximately 30% of the architectural blocks and 80% of the sculptural decoration, so that the interplay of architecture, sculpture and water may be represented with a high degree of authenicity. Therefore, the project will certainly contribute to the progress of the study of Roman architecture and classical archaeology. A team of specialists in Roman architecture, ancient history and classical archaeology will contribute to the publication and portray the monument in all its aspects. The team consists of a specialist in Roman architecture and a specialist in Roman sculpture (see this application) as well as members of the Austrian team of the excavations at Ephesos, and the applicant. - The monument was excavated and studied for the first time in the sixties of the 20th century, leading to a preliminary report, a first tentative reconstruction and the publication of a selection of the sculptural decoration. Subsequently, the monument and selected sculptures of its decoration were often mentioned in specialized literature. Based on these preliminary studies and subsequent, extensive research by K. Jung (architecture) and the applicant (sculpture) in the eighties, this new, 2-year project will first of all complete the documentation of the architectural remains and the sculptural finds. Excavations in selected spots will be carried out to throw light upon constructional and chronological issues and the water conduits. Based on the documentation of the monument and comparative studies, the publication will represent the reconstruction of the fountain, its typology and its position in the urban context as well as its original sculptural program and later additions to the decoration. Specialists will publish the architectural decoration, the honorary inscription and the historical/political background and the results of the new excavations. A virtual model of the monument will visualize its position in the urban context. Finally, all the results will merge in a comprehensive study of the monument.

Main goal of the 2-year-project was the completion of research on the fountain of governor C. Laecanius Bassus` fountain in Ephesos (Asia Minor) for a publication in the series "Forschungen in Ephesos". The fountain is a utility building with splendid facades, epigraphically dated to 81 A.D. A high amount of its architectural members and its sculptural decoration is preserved. Research was undertaken in interaction of several disciplines comprising an architect, archaeologists, a historian and a numismatist, aiming at a comprehensive presentation of the building in all its aspects. Research was funded by the FWF and the Austrian Archaeological Institute and carried out in cooperation with colleagues in other Austrian institutions. The main results concerned the chronology and the period of use of the fountain, the reconstruction of the building including the analysis of planning and construction, the investigation of the water works, research on the architectural decoration and presentation of the sculptural program. Research carried out by a transdisciplinary team enabled insights into the planning and building process (from donor to construction team) as well as into the position of the building and its decoration at a turning-point in the history of architecture and art in general. The building is a key monument regarding the "three-facaded" type of fountains, considering its early date and its powerful design. It is characterized by an innovative attitude displayed also by the multiform, experimental architectural decoration which covers the whole building. The evaluation of this decoration heralds important progress for research on Roman architectural decor in general. The planning of the building envisioned the setting of sculptural decoration from the beginning. The remains of the sculptural program belong to the original design which was visible until Christian Late Antiquity (as shown by the removal of the genitals of the male torsi). The reconstruction of the program of the main facade featured two river gods in the middle of the 1st and 2nd storey, framed by members of the marine thiasos (tritons, nereids, hippocampi). Six statues were designed as gargoyles. Mythological and portrait sculpture was displayed in the lateral facades. A portrait statue of the donor was originally put up on the northern end of the front basin. Interpretation of the new excavations on the site and of the ceramics found in these point to a use of the fountain till the 6th /7 th century A.D. The results of the project confirm the anticipated progress in the field. The results will be explained on the spot to the visitors of the site, but will surely also be taken up and dispersed by the academia by word and writing.