The Library of Celsus was commissioned in 110 AD by Gaius Julius Aquila, a Roman senator, to honor his father, Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, who served as the Roman governor of Asia. Celsus was a highly respected figure in the Roman Empire, and his son built the library both as a monumental tomb and as a tribute to his father’s intellectual and political achievements.

The Library of Celsus was one of the largest libraries of the ancient world, housing approximately 12,000 scrolls. It served not only as a repository of knowledge but also as the burial place for Celsus, whose sarcophagus was located beneath the library’s main floor, a highly unusual feature for Roman libraries.

Architecture and Significance

The façade of the library is particularly famous for its elegant design, featuring a two-story arrangement with columns, statues, and intricate carvings. The statues on the façade symbolize the virtues of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and valor, all of which were meant to reflect the qualities of Celsus. The library was designed to stand as a cultural symbol of Ephesus, blending Greek and Roman architectural elements.

Keywords:
Who built the Library of Celsus, Library of Celsus history, Gaius Julius Aquila, Tiberius Julius Celsus, Roman architecture Ephesus.

For guided tours that include a visit to the Library of Celsus, check out Ephesus Tours.