Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, one of the prominent governors of the Roman Empire, planned to establish a magnificent library in Ephesos that would bear his name. However, he passed away before he could realize this plan. Later, his son, Gaius Julius Aquila, built the library between 110 and 135 CE to honor his father’s memory.
In ancient times, when written sources were limited and highly valuable, libraries were important centers for preserving and sharing knowledge. Owning a library was not only a source of prestige for societies of the time but also demonstrated a city’s intellectual capacity. The manuscripts collected in a library preserved the knowledge of the past and underpinned new ideas. In this respect, the Library of Celsus played a significant role in the cultural and scientific development of Ephesos, a trade and port city.
The building, which also served as a mausoleum for Celsus and thus has the dual function of being a memorial tomb, is two stories tall and 16 meters high. Four statues of women on the facade of the building symbolize the four virtues of Celsus: wisdom, goodness, thought, and knowledge. Today, the original statues are part of the Vienna Museum’s collection.
Recognized as a successful synthesis of Ancient Greek and Roman architecture, the Library of Celsus functioned as a library for approximately 150 years. It is estimated that the library housed between 9.500 and 12.000 manuscripts throughout its history.
Findings from excavations in Ephesos reveal that the library was looted during the Gothic invasion of 262 CE, and all of its books were burned. After this event, the Library of Celsus was neither repaired nor reconstructed. Its remains were unearthed during excavations in the early 20th century.
Today, the Library of Celsus is one of the most iconic structures associated with Ephesos. Restoration work that began in 1970 was completed in 1978, and the library’s magnificent facade was restored to its former glory.