- The Library of Celsus at Ephesus (117-135 CE) was one of the great Libraries of the Ancient World which had over 12,000 Works.
- It was built as a Mausoleum for Celsus by his son. Celsus is buried in a Sarcophagus beneath the Library.
History
- Celsus beacame a Consul in 92 CE, and was appointed Proconsul of Asia in 105-106 CE.
- He left a donation to build the Library and a gift of 25,000 Denarii to purchase the collection of works.
- The Library was completed sometime between 117-135 CE and remained open until it was destroyed by fire in 262 CE.
- A late earthquake in the 10th or 11th century CE left the structure in ruins.
The Site today
- The Facade was rebuilt in the 1970’s and copies of the four female statues are displayed in the alcoves on the lower floor.
- The original statues are in the Ephesos Museum in Vienna. They are the personification of the four virtues: Wisdom, Knowledge, Intelligence and Excellence.
- The Sarcophagus of Celsus is located in the Crypt below.
Library of Celsus, Izmir