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Nevzat Ilhan

Stadia of

EX ORIENTE LUX Greece: The panhellen gymnic, musical and theatre competi• tions -Agonistica-, the united concept of education and the Introduction sport -Kalokagathia- and creating the types of buildings suit- The are known to be the architectural Spaces for gymnic able to these functions as Stadia, Theater, Gymnasion, Palaestra, competitions and festivities of hellenic character from the first Academia, Stoa, etc.. Olympic Games, 776 B.C. onwards, regularly celebrated every four years until, the last one which was prohibited by Emperor Phyrgia - : The strong tradition of open air celebrations Theodosius l*, in 394 A.D. as they were pagan traditions against ceremonies of "Black Stone" of the Cult of "KYBELE", the mu• the ethics of the new religion "". sical and dance Performances as competitions and festivities, As a terminology "Stadion" is used to definc the measure of originating the concept "LUDI" which means "GAME" to the length of 600 fect, the name of the running competition of that Roman world are significant contributions. distance, and also is the name of the building itself, where the competitions were held. Ourartou: It was a tradition "sine qua non" of presenting the fa• As a metrology: although the foot and the Stadion units were mous bronze caldrons of Ourartou. to the winners of the com• different in various geographical-cultural areas and time, the ra• petitions in Olympia and elsewhere in Antiquity... tio of 1/6 of the competition ground was shaped as 1 plethron/1 Stadion, with the measures of 30x180 m, 32x192 m. (Egyptian, Rome: The philosophy and the forms of way of life. - Persian-Babylonian, Roman, Olympian foot...) modus vivendi a la romana - the concept of "GAMES" and As orientation, they were running eastwards, - ex Oriente "CELEBRATIONS" replaced professionally in Anatolia the Lux - and the long axe was generally East-West oriented at the idealistic system of "Competitions", from 133 B.C. until 394 beginning until the Roman era. Düring the the A.D. The buildings were transformed, reshaped and built ac- North-South direction was preferred wherever it was possible. cordingly to the necessity of space required for Roman Perfor• (Plate: 2) mances of Ludi Latini, Ludi Circensas, ludi plebei, venationes, munera, gladiators, wild beasts fights and naumachea, etc.. Cultural roots of competitions/games/celebrations in Anatolia Greek type of games/competitions were also practised as "Ludi Anatolia, the melting pot of the civilisations and the bridge be- Graeci". The existing Stadion buildings were hosting these tween east and west throughout the ages, was strongly influ- events with the Theaters. enced in antiquity by surrounding cultures. These influences on athletic competitions, Spaces for public Performances, ritualistic Architectural Evolution and Typology of Anatolia Stadia ceremonies and celebrations can be summarised as follows: There is no architectural stone historic evidence of Stadion in Anatolia before the 2nJ Century B.C. Probably the competitions Egypt: Tradition of Sacred-Procession Road to the Temple, ritu- were held at the open Spaces outside the city walls and tempo- als, operational guidelines and established Standards for compe• rary wooden seats were used by the people. The prosperous life titions, either ethical or spatial Organisation, which contributed under Kingdom and PAX ROM ANA of Roman Em• cultural ethic and great deal to establish the Standards of Pan• pire, helped a great deal in the evolution and typology of the ex• hellen competition areas in Greece. isting 32 Stadia of Anatolia. The most concentrated regions are: Ionia, , Phyrigia-Lydia, and Pamphyllia. (Plate 1) Mesopotamia: The famous procession-sacred road leading to Ishtar Gate at Babylon, where acrobatic spectacles, musical, A - HELLENISTIC STADIA OF ANATOLIA: (Plate 3) ritualistic Performances were held, and swimming competitions on river Tigris. The stadia at Milerus, , , Kadyanda and are dated to , 2"d- lsl centuries, B.C. The PRO• : The celebrations; the cult of heroes and ancestors, compe• CESSEN ROAD tradition is still alive, even at the rcduced tition tradition at funeral ceremonies. scale at KADYANDA with the temple nearby, and the strong re- ligious cult of is reflected in the construction of a TEM• Hittit - Assyria: The competitions in wrestling -which is still PLE - STADION at DIDYMA, in the l" Century B.C., to the going on traditionally in Anatolia -, hunting, heavy weight lift- south of the temple. ing, horse and chariot riding, with the well-known horses of Har- ranu and Cappadocia. PERGAMON: Gymnasion - Stadion. 147 B.C. Although it was one of the most important and prosperous cities Persia: The concept and creation of "Paradeisos" -huge gardens- of the antique world, there is no evidence of a Hellenistic Sta• by the Satrapes for hunting, sport and pleasure purposes, compe• dion in Pergamon, but the most significant monumental GY- titions on archery, Djirit -javelot throwing on the horseback-, etc.. MASION - STADION of all times, on these terraces for ado-

15 lescents, youngs and adults- as were also the competitions - is to The existing buildings of the Metropolitan cities like Ephesos, be found at the Middle City of Pergamon, and is dated to the Magnesia and Maendrum which have Hellenistic infrastructure reign of Evmenos 21"1 at 147 B.C. with sitting places on the slopes (one sided or two) were en- There are insignificant remains of a Roman Stadium near larged with additional parts in the Roman Period. niver at the lower city. Pergamon was one of the two cities during the Roman Empire, in Provincia , which had an EPHESOS: "Amphitheatre" building with CYZIKOS. The Stadium, lying south of the vedius gymnasium, was the : 150 B.C. scene of all kinds of ceremonies, athletic contest, chariot races,and gladiatorial fights. Seats for the spectators on the The eldest hellenistic Stadion of Anatolia is at Miletus. 1t goes south were constructed on the slopes of Mt.PION, i.e. pre- back to 150 B.C. and is a very important example of building sent - day PANAYIRDA, those on the north were built over a which has survived the centuries, avoiding big alterations and vaulted substrucrure. Since the stone seats were used to build the maintaining the authenticity of its hellenistic historic evidence. city wall around AYASOLUK. In the early Christian era, the Sta• The city of Miletus is on piain ground. near the seashore, and is dium was reduced to ruins. Only the west side of the Stadium has designed according to the Hippodamos Plan, in grid system. The so far been excavated. Judging by the pillar bases lying on the Stadion is one of the important centers in the middle of the city. ground, entry to the Stadium was gained through an arcade. Re- The building is generated by two elevated retaining walls, which covered inscriptions reveal that the Stadium was erected in the helps the formation of natural two-sided slopes to the arena and reign of Emperor Nero (A.D. 54 - 68) probably on the same lay- the parados walls at the entrance. One of the most significant out as the previous one, on east — west main axis, and on the achitectural features is the Hellenistic entrance door to the west. slopes in one part at the south. Among the pillar bases near the The East Door is an addition of 3,d Century A.D. The building is entrance were found poorly - fashioned marble vases represent- east - west oriented, the starting sills - Hysplex - is to be found ing sport trophies, and plaques decorated with designs of olive "in situ". The parapet wall height is 70 cm from the arena level. branches and rabbits, all these date from a period when alter• The arena is rectangular with a curvaturc of 1/100. The building ations were carricd out, in the 3"1 or 4lh Century A.D. Gladiatori• can easily be restored, by deviating the road passing through. al fights and the baiting of animals for amusement took place at and using the material in situ for anastylosis. the eastern end of the Stadium.

PRIENE: 130 B.C. The prosperity and the wealth coming from mainly the period of Pax Romana, under Roman Empire, developed three types of Designed on a hillside the city of Priene in Hippodamos plan. Roman Theatres in Anatolia with the main axe at North-South The stadion is at the south of the city next to the lower Gymna- direction generally. (Plates 2, 4) sion and on a terrace retained at the south by city walls. Priene a) The Stadion - Amphitheatron, mentioned by at the is one of the best examples of the Hippodamos Grid-planned ar- beginnings of 1"' Century A.D. for , was fitting chitectural cities on the hillside. The building still maintains all very well the necessities of Roman life under Nero, and its Hellenistic design Clements in situ. Worth to be mentioned: Flavius Dynasty Vespasianus, Titus, Domitianus and dou• The Xystus - doric Stoa - and Paradromos to the north, the en• ble sphendonea type was dominant in and trance gate to the gymnasion, starting sills - Hysplexes - of Hel• LAODICEA. lenistic and Roman periods. one entire Keile, with stairs up and APHRODISIAS: The Stadium is one of the impressive pub• seats, rectangular arena on east - west direction. The parapet lic building and certainly one of the best preserved of its kind, wall is 70 cm high from the arena level. The building requires anywhere. It is located in the north-west quarter of the city, only the maintenance works and presentation for rehabilition. the arena was 262 m long and 59 m wide and could accom- The anastylosis of a part of Xystus can be realised without dif- modatc about 30.000 spectators. The construction Systems ficulty. The retaining city walls of the arena terrace are in good and approaches of these stadia still reflect the Greek tradition condition. of using natural and artificial slopes and retaining walls Sys• tem. Vomitorias and loggias and upper galleries were added y ARYCANDA: l Century B.C. in Roman way. Circus and amphitheatres were not seen very often in ANATOLIA. Probably the Stadion generated and re- Reflects the type of Priene, but in a composition with the theatre. shaped buildings were also used for these purposes. There are The arena is half on terrace wall, rectangular in shape and east - only two amphitheatres in Anatolia: One in Pergamon. the west oriented. The seats are on the slope in one side, looking other at CYZICOS. south. NYSSA: The city was probably founded in the first half of the 3rd Century B.C. Strabo, who was born 63 B.C. in Amasia ROMAN STADIA OF ANATOLIA: (30 B.C. - 394 A.D.) and who died after A.D. 21, studied in this city. He gives a short but clear description of the city. The gymnasion men• a) Late Hellenistic - Early Roman: tioned by Strabo near the Stadion was certainly not as large as this one. The present-day ruins belong to a building with a Although the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Ro• palacstra, erected in late Roman times. The Stadion structure man World in 133 B.C. by heritage, the Provincia of Asia could is 44m wide and 165m long. It may be the "amphitheatre" only be established after the Mithridatic Wars and the First quoted by Strabo. Strabo, in using that word, doubtless meant games of Roman tradition started in Ephesos Stadium in a "Stadion Amphithcatroa" which was curved at both ends 80 B.C. (double sphendonea).

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Plate I: Stadia of Anatolia in Antiquity (After Akurgal, Ilhan, Saltuk)

In Alphabetical Order

1. 12. LABRANDA 23. 2. ANAZARBOS 13. LAODICEIA 24. SAITTAI 3. APHRODISIAS 14. LETOON 25. SARDEIS 4. ARYCANDA 15. MAGNESIA 26. SELEUCEIA 5. 16. MILETOS 27. 6. BLAUNDOS 17. MYNDOS 28. 7. DIDYMA 18. NYSA 29. 8. EPHESOS 19. PERGAMON 30. 9. KADYANDA 20. PERGE 31. 10. KEDRAI 21. 32. TRALLEIS 11. 22. PRIENE

By Regions

I. AIOLIS: Pitane V. LYDIA: Blaundos, Nysa, Saittai, Sardeis, Tralleis II. IONIA: Didyma, Ephesos, Magnesia, Miletos, Priene, VI. LYCIA: Arycanda, Kadianda, Leloon, Rodiapolis, Tlos Smyrna VII. MYSIA: Pergamon III. CARIA: Aphrodisias, Kedrai, Labranda, Myndos, Thean- VIII. PAMPHYLIA: Aspendos, Sillyon, Perge gela IX. PHYRIGIA: Aizanoi, Kibyra, Laodicea IV CILICIA: Anazarbos, Seleuceia X. : Selge

17 b) Single -Sphendonea- ROMAN STADIA: In thc 2"d Century ethic code of the Venice Charter. The recommendations: on A.D. a cultural revival and return to Greek way of life. tradi- archaclogical excavations guidclines on management of ar- tions and forms started with the Emperor HADRIANUS chaelogical sites, ICOMOS Charters on Cultural Tourism (117-138) and Single sphendonea type of Greco-Roman peri- and Cultural Itineraries, and finally the monitoring system as od camc in fashion. Thc most perfect examplc of Roman Sta- it is in the case of World Cultural Heritage should dominate in ANATOLIA is at PERGE. Pamphyllian Stadia of the planning phase of a "Mastcrplan for thc Rehabilitation of SELGE, ASPENDOS, SILLYUM are on the same type and Stadia in Anatolia" for long term. with typical Roman construetion Systems: with stone vaulted substruetures. STADIA have gcnerally followed the change CONCLUDING PROPOSALS: of coneepts of the theatres and their architectural Clements. Thc parapet wall between thc arena and the first row of seats 1. JOINT PROPOSALS OF GREECE - FOR STA• which was almost unsignificant in Hellenistic Stadia, is ele• DIA: vated to 1.50 m generally. PERGE: It's one of the best preserved Stadiums of antiquity. a) World Heritage Committee as "Scries of Buildings in Both being second only to that of Aphrodisias. Probably crected in Countries". thc 2nJ Century A.D. the wcll-preserved rows of seats sup- b) Cultural itineraries and Organisation of local-regional festiv- ported by barrel vaulted construetion had a seating capacity ities aiming at cultural tourism, and preparedness for the of 12.000 spectators. Olympic Games 2004 in , and candidate Turkey for Thc entrance of the arena (34x234 m) lay at the southern end, 2012. but thc monumental gateway, only a few fragments of which have becn discovered, is no longer in existance. 1. Sensibilisation campaign for thc cultural meaning of stadia in Bclow the seats of thc cast side, thirty Chambers are to be Turkey, aiming for the rehabilitation and conservation of pilot found. opening to the outside and possessing communication projects: Pricne, Miletus and Arycanda and Perge, Aizanoi doors. The spectators passed through every third Chamber, and Aphrodisias stadia. which led to the arena. Thc remaining twenty rooms served as shops. On the walls are inscribed the shopkeepers' names a) By preparing a travelling exhibition on the existing and pro- or their trades. posed states of conservation of thc above mentioned Stadia of Anatolia and also aecompanied by the work of conservation c) STADIA-THEATRE UNITED COMPLEXES: As spectacle and adaptive-use approaches realised in Olympia, Epidauros, buildings, theatres and stadia buildings were planncd outside Delphoi as comparison. the city walls near to each other, wherever it was possible. b) By Organisation of a Scientific Seminar/Congress on "Con• Thcrc are streng historic evidences that this coneept flour- servation and Rehabilitation of Antique Stadia in Mediter- ished in the late Hellenistic period. In the 21*1 and 3"1 centuries rancan Area", with the support of EUROPEAN UNION, A.D. one finds the big stadion-theatre united complcxes at UNESCO, ICOMOS and WTO, WOC. Aizanoi, Sardeis and Pcssinus; the famous cities of Phyrigia and Lydia where there are very old traditions of open air ccl- ebrations and competitions (Ludi) in cultural continuity. Thc addition of gates, like at , Miletus are also typical of thc 3'd Century A.D.

In thc 3'd and 4,h centuries A.D. modifications at the existing sta• dia were made to fit the neecssity of space for gladiators and wild bcasts fight and for horsc and chariot races in two ways:

1. By eliminating two or thrce rows of seats from each side; which permits to have an enlargcd arena and elevated seats (up to 2.5 m) all along thc building.

2. By limiting the arena in one part with thc sphendonea, and Selected Bibliography: ercating a new, redueed arena of 45 m long, in elliptical form. AKURüAI. EKREM-ANCIENT Civilisations and Ruins of Turkey, . CONSERVATION PARAMETERS: 1978 Iii w. Gl oR<.i-AMII AN Turkey. London, IV72 BEAN, GEORGE-SOUTHERN, Turkey. . 1968 1. As the stadia were continuously in use, throughout thc cen• ERIM, T. KENAN-APHRODISIAS, Istanbul, 1993 turies they contain historic evidences of different periods and GERKAN, A. VON-MILETOS, Band 11 "Das Stadion". Leipzig. 1921 cultures which must bc respected. Any temptation of hypo- MANSEL, A.MOHT-EGE VE YUNAN TARIIII, , 1971 thctical reconstruetion in thc sense of "unity of style or peri• MILTNER, FRANZ-EPHESOS, Wien, 1958 od" must bc avoided. Conservation work is essential. Ii MAN. Ni v/Ai-"Stadiums of Anatolia". unpublished Ph.D.thcsis Yildiz Technical University. Istanbul, 1996 SALTUK, SECDA-Antik Stadyumlar, Istanbul, 1995 2. As it has been in the case of antique theatres, critcria should Sc in DE, MARUN-Die Ruinen von PRIENE, 2~L Ed., Berlin, 1964 bc cstablished for their preservation, conservation, mainte- ZSCHIETZSCHMANN, Willy-Wettkampf undÜbungsstättcn in Griechen• nance, temporary adaptive use in a delicate equilibrum. The land I. "Das Stadion", Stuttgart, i960

IS A-HELLAS LENGTH* WIDTH FORM ORIENTATION Olympia 191,27 m 31,60 R Epidauros 181,30 29,50 R Athen 184,96 30.26 S.S Delphoi 178,35 28,50 S.S Isthmia 178,60 28,60 S.S B- ANATOLIA STADIA Didyma 191,00? 13,50 R? Miletus 191,40 29,50 R Priene 191,40 20,00 R Iassus 177,00 20,00 R 190,00? 20,00 R Ephesos 191,40 30,00 S.S Perge 191,50 34,00 S.S Aspendos 176,70? 28,50 S.S Selge 177.00? 20,00 S.S Sillyum 177.00? 20,00 S.S Magnesia ad Meandrum 185,90 31,00 S.S Heracleia ad Salbacus 190,00 30,50? S.S STADIA - AMPHITEATER Aphrodisias 191,50 39,00 D.S Laodicea ad Lycus 192.30 34,00 D.S Nysa an Meandrum 192,00 44,00 D.S STADIA - HIPPODROMOS 191-240? 41.00 S.S? Aizanai 191-240? 46,40 S.S? 191-240? 41,00 S.S?

R= Rectangle S.S = Single Sphendonea D.S = Double Sphendonea * = Sphendonea's are excluded Plate 2: Antique Stadia Arena Characteristics

Tempel Stadion Gymnasion Stadion Stadion With Xystus, Paradromos Stadion With Two Artiflcial and Rectaneular Arena Slope» and Rectangular Arena

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With two gates of Hellcnistic Ccremony Road With Tempel Keller Stadion Seats In One Side On The Slope and Late Roman Periods

Plate 3: Stadia of Anatolia - Architectural Evolution and Typology - Hellenistic Stadia (2"d B.C - 30 B.C.)

19 Single Sphendonea Double Sphendonea Theatre Stadion - Complexes

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NOTE I: Thcrc arc only Iwo Roman Amphithcairc in Analolia: At Cyzicos and Pergamon NOTE 2: The main lypc of Hippodrom for horsc and chariot races which was used in middlc ages is at BYZANTION - from Scptimus Severus Pcriod. NOTE 3: Transformation was done in 3 rd and 4Ul centurics for gladiations and wild bcasts fights. at arena Icvcl.

Plate 4: Roman Stadia (30 B.C. - 394 A.D.)

20