The Magnificent Celsus Library in Ephesus

The ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most popular tourist sites in Turkey, are located south of Izmir near Turkey's Aegean coast. One of the most spectacular sites in the ancient city was the Celsus Library. Construction began on the library between 114 AD and 117 AD, but the library was not completed until 135 AD. The library was constructed by Tiberius Julius Aquila, a Roman consul in 110 AD. Aquila completed the library for his father, Tiberius Julius Celsus, as a memorial to him.

Tiberius Julius Celsus

Tiberius Julius Celsus was a Roman senator in 92 AD, and he became the governor of Asia in 115 AD. Celsus was of Greek origin, one of the first men of pure Greek descent to become a consul in the Roman Empire. Celsus had a love for literature, and is said to have personally paid for the library from his private wealth. According to legend, he left 25,000 denarii to pay for the 12,000 scrolls that the library boasted.

The library was completed by Celsus's son, Tiberius Julius Aquila, as a monumental tomb for his father. Celsus's sarcophagus, an ancient Greek casket normally carved from limestone, is a in a tomb under the library. In the Roman era, normally people were not buried within a city; so this was a significant honor for Celsus.

The Library

The library was severely damaged over time by an earthquake. In the 1970s the front facade, which was the most severely damaged was reconstructed from the original fallen masonry. The reconstruction is thought to be very true to the original structure. The library was built on a platform with nine steps extending the width of the structure leading up to the portico. The library was a three-story structure consisting of a single hall which faced east, thus allowing the morning sun to enlighten the structure for the benefit of early visitors.

The front portico of the library had three entrances into the central hall with the central entrance being significantly taller than the two flanking entrances. Niches were crafted on each side of the entrances that showcased larger than life statues. The lower level of the front facade was constructed with Ionic columns, and directly above these on the second level, Corinthian columns were used in the construction. Both Greek and Latin inscriptions can be seen on the front facade honoring both Celsus and his son Aquila.

The library's central hall is 70 feet by 80 feet in size. Along three sides of the hall there are rectangular recesses that were used to house the 12,000 scrolls that the library boasted. Under this central hall lies the tomb which holds the sarcophagus of Celsus.

The Celsus Library is one of the highlights of the Ephesus tour, and is worth spending the time to explore in detail. The summer tourist months are not the best time to view the ruins due to large crowds; however, if you find yourself in Ephesus during these busy months, arriving early at the site will normally allow you to view the ruins before the crowds become too dense.