
Located between the Agora and the Celsus Library, the Gate of Mazeus and Mthridates has three passages like a Roman triumphal arch. Wide and strong pilasters between the passages support the arch, and the frieze on top of the 16 metre-high arch.
Mazeus and Mithridates were slaves of Emperor Augustus and his family. When they were emancipated, they built this gate in either in 4 or 3 B.C. and dedicated it to Augustus, his wife Livia, his daughter Julia and his son-in-law Agrippa. This gate is sometimes referred to as the Augustus Gate.
The frieze consists of three sections and is richly decorated. The attic walls are found on top of the frieze. The main inscription of the gate is seen on the attics located above the side passages and is in Latin.
Western inscription: To Emperor Caesar, Augustus, son of a god, the high priest, twelve times consul, twenty times tribune, and Livia, wife of Caesar Augustus, Mazeus (dedicates this arch).
Eastern inscription: To Marc Agrippa, son of Lucius, three times consul, emperor, six times tribune and daughter of Julio Caesar Augustus, our patron Mithridates (dedicates this arch).
Ephesus, Türkiye #6678
12 June 2024