Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:51 AM Sayfa
Another temple of Apollon built at the beginning of the Hellenistic
Period is in Klaros, which was an equestrian center near Ephesos. The
Temple of Aphrodite, which is located in Aphrodisias and which belongs
to the Late Hellenistic Period, is still standing and compels admiration
with its 14 columns. Aphrodite here, like Artemis in Ephesos, identifies
a goddess symbolizing fertility, preserving the legacy of Kubaba-the
mother goddess of Anatolia. The Temple of Artemis in Sardes was
re-designed as the second stage in the place of the previous temple,
during 175-150 BC. There are many temples like these in Anatolia.
These temples were used during the Roman Age with minor changes.
The most spectacular examples of monumental architecture during the
Hellenistic Period were the altars. The forerunners of these structures,
which were surrounded by porticos on high and stepped pillars and
which were located in front of the temples, are Priene Athena,
Magnesia Artemis and Pergamon Zeus. The Belevi Monument in the
vicinity of Ephesos built in 246 BC and the Gümüflkesen Monuments in
Milas from the 2 nd century BC are the splendid grave monuments of the
Hellenistic Period.
Theaters
The art of theater emerged as an outcome of the festivities held in
Athens around the end of the 7 th century BC and beginning of the
6 th century BC for the god Dionysos to increase fertility. Organization of
these festivities became an annual tradition, and for more people to be
able to watch them, wooden benches were placed at the foot of a slope
of choice. The festivities held in the center were then watched from
here. However, in 498 BC, these wooden benches collapsed and many
people died. After this disaster, stone benches were built instead of
wooden benches, resulting in the creation of the first theater buildings.
Afterwards, the small wooden structure before the theater was
developed and transformed into a stage. The stage gained its typical
form from the 3 rd century BC onwards and a background was created for
the actors.
Previously performed by a single person, the works of the drama authors
were later staged with the addition of the chorus and other individuals.
The first dramatic performances were staged in the 5 th century BC in
Athens in Piraeus, and in the 4 th century BC in Epidauros, whereas they
also started to be performed in Anatolia in Priene and Magnesia, at the
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