The Celsus Library, located in the Ephesus region, known for the ruins of Antiquity, is one of the most valuable works of the ancient world. The library, Aquila decoration, sculptures and books commissioned by his son Gaius Julius Aquila in honor of the Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus (shown in different sources in this date) in 135 BC, was funded by Gaius Julius Aquila in 135 AD.
Library of Celsus Ephesus Information
The Celsus Library is not only remarkable for its size and beauty, but also for its intelligent and practical design. Although the library is built on a small parcel between existing buildings, the design of the library makes a monumental dimension.
At the entrance of the library is furnished with a 21 meter wide courtyard marble. Nine large marble steps lead to a two-story gallery. Round and triangular pediments are supported by two-story double columns. The columns in the middle have larger pillar beams than the columns on the edge. This evokes the illusion that the columns are more distant from each other than they really are. To increase this effect, the column base beneath the columns gently hangs down to the edges.
On each side of the stairs, the Greek and Latin scriptures describe the life of Celsus. There are four statues of women in the four indentations along the outer wall. These sculptures symbolize wisdom (sophia), knowledge (episteme), mind (ennoia) and virtue (arete). The original of these statues were taken to Vienna during excavation.
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