Today we visit the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, constructed in the second century during the boom period under Emperor Hadrian (76-138 CE). It is unusual to be buried in a library, but this is the case with the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, known for short as Celsus. He was the Governor of the Asia Province and the library is a monument honouring his memory and achievements. The sarcophagus was buried under the flooring near the apsidal wall, where it was rediscovered during excavations in 1904. Here is a virtual wander around the site involving an unmuted mike and utter indifference to social distancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBmG31jilOI
Or if you like lovely music and maximum distance, you may prefer stepping into the Simulator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OySya5YUFeI
The Library of Celsus is typical of the architectural style prevalent in Hadrian’s time, with highly decorative facades which had multiple tiers and masses of projections, recessed false windows, columns, pediments, and statues. Ephesus had become, as we know, one of the most important centres of early Christianity. The library and Christianity were closely connected, since the new religion laid great emphasis on the written word in the form of sacred texts and commentaries, which was in marked contrast to the Roman rites and rituals, typically passed on orally by priests to initiates. At least, that’s what it says in the Ancient History Encyclopedia: https://www.ancient.eu/Library_of_Celsus/
Let’s have a look at this informative local Turkish account of the Library. ‘Sings of the Humans’ is possibly meant to be ‘Songs of the Humans’ and there are other translationese bloopers in the subtitles that add depth of meaning to the narrative. This tour reminds us too that there is no love lost between Istanbul and Vienna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpoOvFV_5DQ
Philip
Harvey
Tour
Guide
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