This is a plaster cast of part of the marble frieze from the Parthian Monument depicting a battle scene. The original is in the Ephesos Museum, Vienna, Austria.
Inv. No. I 865.
Dimensions: 206 x 224 cm.
The Parthian Monument was constructed around 170 AD to commemorate the victories of Emperor Lucius Verus over the Parthian Empire in 162-165 AD. Lucius Verus visited Ephesus around 166-167 AD, on his return from the Parthian campaign, and stayed at the home of the wealthy Sophist Titus Flavius Damianus (Damianus of Ephesus).
The monument featured reliefs depicting the life and career of the emperor, battle scenes and personifications of conquered cities, as well as a meeting of the gods. Its parts, including the reliefs, were later reused as spolia and integrated into other constructions, including part of a fountain built in front of the Library of Celsus, where many of its fragments were found by archaologists. Its original location and architectural composition remian matters of debate.
The Museum for the Visually Impaired
The little-publicized Museum for the Visually Impaired (formerly known as the Museum for the Blind) at Ephesus is housed in a restored ancient shop, hidden behind the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates to the Lower Agora, next to the Library of Celsus.
The iron gate to it is usually locked, and you have to ask one of the guards at the archaeological site to open it. Enquire at the one of the site's entrances when you arrive. It contains a number of statues and reliefs (copies and originals), including a statue of Artemis, which visually impaired people are allowed to touch and feel. A good idea, although it is a pity they don't tell anybody about it.
If you are visually impaired and have visited this mini museum,
please get in contact and tell us what you think of it. |
