Magnesia on the Maeander — Temple of Artemis Leukophryene
Μαγνησία ἡ ἐπὶ Μαιάνδρῳ · Magnesia ad Maeandrum · Magnesia on Meander · Leukophryene
Archaic to Byzantine (1100 BCE – 600 CE)·Aeolian/Ionian Greek and Roman (Pergamene)·🇹🇷 Aydın Province, Germencik, Ortaklar, Turkey
About
About Magnesia on the Maeander — Temple of Artemis Leukophryene
Ionian city on the Lethaeus tributary of the Maeander, home to Hermogenes' second masterpiece after Teos: the 8×15 Ionic Temple of Artemis Leukophryene (c.150–130 BCE) considered by Vitruvius and Strabo the most beautiful Ionic temple after Ephesus. Pseudodipteral 41×67.5 m with 15-wide pteron concealing 3-m deep Amazonomachy frieze now in Louvre, Berlin and Istanbul, Altar of Artemis 26×40 m with Amazonomachy relief, and Agora 246×414 m one of largest in Anatolia. Also retains Byzantine circuit and theatre 3000 seats. Maeander silt burial preserved frieze blocks with carabiniere excavation 1890–.
Why it mattersHermogenes' mature pseudodipteral variation and largest surviving Amazonomachy frieze bridging Classical myth to Pergamene baroque.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Magnesia's Artemis is Leukophryene (White-Browed) distinct from Ephesian
- 02How pseudodipteral conceals frieze without dipteral cost
Theories
- 01Attalid competitive emulation of Ephesus using Hermogenes both sites
- 02Colony identity via Thessalian Artemis transfer
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Archaic foundation c.1100 BCE; Hermogenes temple 150–130 BCE
- Period
- Archaic to Byzantine (1100 BCE – 600 CE)
- Culture
- Aeolian/Ionian Greek and Roman (Pergamene)
- Builders
- Magnesian Greeks under Attalid Pergamon; architect Hermogenes second work
- Purpose
- Artemis White-Browed sanctuary and Thessalian Magnesia colony market city controlling Maeander crossing
- Abandoned
- 14th c. with Maeander swamp
- Rediscovered
- 1801 W. Leake; 1890 C. Humann German excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1100 BCE
Magnesia founded by Magnesians from Thessaly
150–130 BCE
Hermogenes builds Artemis Leukophryene and altar
1890
Humann uncovers Amazonomachy frieze
On the ground
Structures & features
37.8530° N · 27.5250° E · 30 m · 3 mapped features
Temple of Artemis Leukophryene
temple41×67.5 m Hermogenean temple with Amazonomachy frieze
37.8535° N · 27.5255° EAltar of Artemis
altar26×40 m altar with Amazonomachy on podium
37.8528° N · 27.5250° EAgora and Theatre
agora246×414 m agora one of Anatolia's largest and theatre 3000 seats
37.8530° N · 27.5265° E
Gallery