Gable of the Gateway

Gable of the Gateway

View looking northeast at a detail of the gable of the Monumental Gateway ( = tetrapylon) that was the main entrance into the Temple of Aphrodite Complex from the east.

Note all the acanthus leaves and within them there are hunting scenes with horses and Nikes jumping out of acanthus plants.  (download at "Max Size Available" to see the details, and perfect for PowerPoint)


The Tetrapylon as a monumental gateway to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite built ca. AD 200.  It led from a main north-south street into a large forecourt in front of the Temple.  Its decoration has a richness typical of the second century AD.  A complete scientific reconstruction (anastylosis) of the monument was completed in 1991.  It was made possible by the extraordinary preservation of the structure — 85% of its original marble blocks survive. (from a sign at the site of the Tetrapylon)