You are here

Home

The First Koinon Temple of Roman Sardis: A Sanctuary from the First Century Through Late Antiquity

July 2024 (128.3)
Field Report

The First Koinon Temple of Roman Sardis: A Sanctuary from the First Century Through Late Antiquity

128.3
Nicholas D. Cahill
Philip Stinson
Marcus Rautman
Bahadır Yıldırım
Jane DeRose Evans
Frances Gallart Marques
Vanessa Rousseau
Elizabeth DeRidder Raubolt
Read Article

An artificial terrace in the center of the city of Sardis in western Asia Minor formed a focus of urban life from the Early Imperial period until the early Byzantine era. Following the earthquake of 17 CE, the terrace became a major sanctuary of the imperial cult belonging to the koinon of Asia. The lavishly ornamented octastyle temple and broad range of honorific monuments attest the importance of the sanctuary for the first three centuries CE. In the fourth century, the temple was largely demolished, and the sanctuary plaza converted to elite housing. This region was later enclosed by an impressive fortification wall built almost entirely out of spolia from the temple and sanctuary. The houses were destroyed by one or more earthquakes in the early seventh century, and while most of the area was apparently abandoned, traces of occupation cast light on this little-known period of Sardis’ history.

More articles like this: 
Architecture
Excavation
Late Antiquity
Masonry
Painting
Religion/Cult
Roman Period
Turkey > Western Turkey

The First Koinon Temple of Roman Sardis: A Sanctuary from the First Century Through Late Antiquity
By Nicholas Cahill, Philip Stinson, Marcus Rautman, Bahadır Yıldırım, Jane DeRose Evans, Frances Gallart Marqués, Vanessa Rousseau, and Elizabeth DeRidder Raubolt
American Journal of Archaeology Vol. 128, No. 3 (July 2024), pp. 381-421
DOI: 10.1086/730070
© 2024 Archaeological Institute of America

  • Share