The Mazeus and Mithridates Gate in Ephesus is dated to year 4 AD during the Emperor Augustus period thanks to its inscriptions with almost all of them surviving today.
When the Roman influences which are buried in the architectural details of the Mazeus and Mithridates Gate considered, it will be possible to say that the monument was actually built by the empire itself and that it is a warning to the Ephesians not to forget the power of the Roman Empire.
Roman incentives should not be overlooked in high-cost projects commissioned by Ephesians such as Mazaeus and Mithridates, who call themselves “freed slaves”. Perhaps the most distinctive propaganda structures of Rome in Ephesus are the Memnius Monument and Mazeus and Mithridates Gate.
It is located at a point which separates the city’s outward and inward life. Tetragonos Agora which was associated with the harbor street are located in the northern part of the gate, while Curetes Street, where buildings unique to Ephesus’ busy daily life are located, such as residences, temples and administrative buildings, starting with the Celsus library in the south. The gate was built by two freed slaves Mazeus and Mithridates in memory of Emperor Augustus.
The rooms on both parts of the building must have been used as graves for the donors. However, the part to the east was narrowed during the reconstruction of the Agora, and the part to the west that belonged to Mazaeus was completely destroyed, probably during the construction of the Celsus library.
There is an interesting and uncommon graffiti on the third room under the Mazeus and Mithridates gate. Goddess Hecate can be easily seen. This drawing of Hecate was probably made to keep the evil spirits and people away from the gate since Hecate is related to the black magic.
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Mazeus and Mithridates gate, located next to the ”superstar of Ephesus” Celsus library, is one of the archeological and architectural wonders of Ephesus Ancient City. Contact me to learn more information about Mazeus and Mithridates gate in Ephesus and to hire an English-speaking licensed professional tour guide in Ephesus, Turkey. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.
