Dwelling Unit 7 of Terrace Houses 2 in Ephesos

Due to its excellent condition, its décor of high quality and its extensive inventory of finds, Terrace House 2 in Ephesos provides a unique testimony of Roman Imperial times. The abandonment of the insula, provoked by its destruction through an earthquake, produced a legacy that, due to the architecture - the upper storeys partly survived -, inventory of finds and décor, is predestined for a contextual analysis. In the insula Terrace House 2, seven dwelling units exist. Except for unit 7 all the others are published or are in an advanced stage of publication. Next to unit 6, housing unit 7 is the largest dwelling; doors between these two units suggest that a joint ownership for specific periods can be expected (the owner-family of unit 6 is well known through in situ inscriptions inside of the dwelling). Whereas house and room types principally correlate with the other units of Terrace House 2, singular types of rooms as well as the configuration and décor of specific rooms have to be particularly observed. For unit 7, emperor-worship can be attested to archaeologically, which is not only very seldom for Terrace House 2, but also for many other private houses and villas. Emperor worship can mostly be proven by literature, but not through finds. In order to determine the exact chronology of this cult, which lasted until the destruction of the house and possibly further on, all finds are to be included into the analysis. The evaluation of all findings (architecture, floor and wall décor, moveable objects) is also the general premise for a context orientated study of this unit, which will be worked out within the project. It will enable us to stress new and characteristic features of housing unit 7 compared with the other units of Terrace House 2. Moreover it will also be observed if and in which way the area of unit 7 was used in late Hellenistic times and after the destruction of Terrace House 2. The work to be done within the project includes the building history and building analysis, the evaluation of all finds (sculpture, terracotta figures, glass, ceramic objects and small finds as well as coins, graffiti, stone inscriptions and the archaeozoologic relics etc.) and a context orientated overall study of housing unit 7. Wall and floor decorations were analysed within the FWF-projects P 13185, P 15242, P 15790 by K. Koller, V. Scheibelreiter and N. Zimmermann; the corresponding manuscripts must be completed and updated as applied for in the project. Unlike the wall and floor décors of units 1 to 5, which are already published by V. M. Strocka and W. Jobst, those of unit 7 will be published in the FiE along with the whole devise of unit 7. They will amplify and complete the results of the already finished units of Terrace House 2. With an approval it is planned to present the entire manuscript of housing unit 7 for publication in 2012.

Dwelling Unit 7 in Terrace House 2 was built as a large peristyle house on two floors in the early 1st century AD. From building period I (ca. 2nd quarter of 1st century AD) to building period IV (ca. 220/230 n. Chr.) it was connected with Dwelling Unit 6 which is situated in the east; therefore it can be suggested that both houses were inhabited by one and the same homeowners. These residents are known by in situ-inscriptions in Dwelling Unit 6. It is the family of Gaius Flavius Furius Aptus, which held high municipal offices and functions in the scope of the Emperor Cult of the province.The publication of Dwelling Unit 7 comprises a detailed building description and reconstruction of the house in the different building periods until the destruction and abandonment in the 3rd quarter of the 3rd century AD, as well as the floor and wall decorations and all findings (ceramic and glass objects, coins, sculptures, small finds, marble inventory, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains), graffiti and stone inscriptions. Furthermore the results from the archaeological trenches were included as well; they give important insights concerning the development and use on this area in the later Hellenism (2nd and 1st century BC). Presumably a dwelling already existed in the Hellenistic period, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 23 AD.Concerning the functions of the rooms of Dwelling Unit 7 one has to point out the adoration of Tiberius and Livia in this house, which is attested by the archaeological record. The veneration is obvious by the finds of life-size marble portraits of Tiberius and Livia which were connected with a marble altar and table used for offerings. Whereas the cult and the receiving of guests and clients took place on the ground floor, the more private rooms as well as the kitchen and store rooms were situated on the first floor.