The Celsus Library, located in the Ephesus region, known for its ancient ruins, is one of the valuable works from the Ancient World.Built-in honour of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus in 135 AD, the library, sculptures and books were funded by Gaius Julius Aquila.
It is known that only 25,000 gold coins were donated for the purchase of books. The Celsus Library is located in a small area, south of Agora, in the corner where the marble street of the city of Ephesus bends east. It establishes its connection with the Agora through the beautiful Augustus gate. It also forms great integrity with the theatre right next to it.
There is a sarcophagus still preserving its existence in the library. According to the researches, Celsus, which gave its name to the library, lies in the sarcophagus. In addition, there are 4 female statues representing reason, virtue, knowledge and understanding on the lower floor of the exterior of the library. These sculptures are in the Vienna Museum today.
In Rome's public libraries, together with the structure, the books are developed thanks to a foundation established.The Celsus Library is an example of the libraries established as foundations in this respect. It is thought that the library hosted about 14,000 books in time. In particular, a catalogue system of the Celsus Library is not mentioned in the current literature. Although the Celsus Library does not provide detailed information in the literature about making use and lending of resources, it is known that the Greeks and Romans borrowed books.
The library served only 150 years, M.S. It was destroyed in the middle of the 3rd century. Although the library was heavily damaged during the Goth raids, the façade was not affected by this destruction. Celsus Library, which was reorganized after this date, was damaged due to an earthquake in the Middle Ages and ruins were formed on the front facade. These ruins were scattered in many places and were discovered as a result of archaeological excavations many years later. The building was reorganized and made open to visitors with the restoration work that started in the 1970s and carried out by Archaeologist Strocka and Hueber from the Austrian Archaeological team.
