The Heracles Gate
Located
towards the end of the Curetes Street, it was
called the Hercules gate because of the relief
of Hercules on it. It was brought from another
place in the fourth century AD to its current
place, but the relief on it dates back to the
second century AD.
Only the two side of the columns remain today and the other parts of it have not been found. The relief of the flying Nike in the Domitian Square is thought to also be a part of this gate.
The Heracles Gate narrowed the access to the street, preventing the passage of vehicles.We can understand that from the Fourth Century, the street had become a pedestrian area.
In these reliefs Heracles was depicting with the skin of the Nemean lion in myhtology. The Nemean lion had been terrorizing the area around Nemea, and had a skin so thick that it was impossible to kill it. Finally he wrestled the lion to the ground, eventually killing it by thrusting his arm down its throat and choking it to death. Heracles was the god of power and strenght.
Ephesus sections
- Ephesus Tours
- Basilica of St.John
- The House of Virgin Mary
- Museum of Ephesus
- The Temple of Artemis
- Celsus Library
- Magnesia Gate
- East Gymnasium
- Varius Bath
- Bouleuterion
- Basilica
- Prytaneion
- Upper Agora
- Domitian Fountain
- Pollio Fountain
- Memmius Monument
- Heracles Gate
- Curates Street
- Serapis Temple
- Mazeus Gate
- Lower Agora
- The Marbel Street
- Grand Theater
- Hellenistic Fountain
- Theater Gymnasium
- Harbour Street
- Church of Mary
- Vedius Gymnasium