The area in front of the Pollio Fountain is the Stage Agora of Ephesus also known as the upper agora that’s located at the upper gate of Ephesus. It is one of two Agoras in Ephesus. The other one is called commercial agora which is directly connected to the harbor of Ephesus. The state agora in Ephesus was built in the 1st century and measured 160 by 56 meters. It was a semi-sacred area where political and religious meetings were held under the supervision of the state.
As in many other agoras, there is a rectangular temple in the middle. The temple is almost completely destroyed. Its architectural elements were used in the construction of other structures in modern times. The discovery of structures related to water led the archaeologists to believe first, that this was the Temple of Isis. Later it was suggested that it could be the Temple of Augustus.
The group statue depicting one of the adventures of Odysseus with Polyphemus, originally decorated the pediment of the temple. Later it was placed by the pool of the Pollio Fountain situated to the west of the Agora. This group statue was discovered here and moved to the Ephesus Museum where it is displayed in the Hall of the Fountain Relics. The temple was built in the Ist century B.C.
Excavations carried out at the State Agora unearthed the remains of the Archaic sacred road which encircles Panayir Dagi, and on both sides of the road are sarcophagi made of baked clay called Klazomenai type. The Agora attained its final shape during the reign of Emperor Theodosius (379-395). There used to be a stoa (collonade) both to the north and south of the Agora.
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Ephesus Shore Excursions from Kusadasi Port