Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates
Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Ephesus. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Ephesus Ephesus guide
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About Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates
The city's great square marketplace, framed by a monumental triple gate that two former imperial slaves, Mazaeus and Mithridates, built and dedicated to the emperor Augustus.
The Tetragonos, or square, Agora was the main commercial marketplace of Ephesus, laid out near the harbour beside the Library of Celsus. Measuring roughly one hundred and eleven metres on each side and enclosing about twelve thousand square metres, it was ringed by two-storey colonnaded stoas lined with shops. The marketplace had Hellenistic origins and was rebuilt in the Roman period, reaching its known form under Augustus and Nero.
At the south-east corner stands the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates, a triple-arched monumental gateway opening toward the library. It was built in 4/3 BC by Mazaeus and Mithridates, two freedmen of the imperial house, and dedicated to Augustus, his wife Livia, Marcus Agrippa and Agrippa's daughter Julia. A Latin dedication in bronze letters ran across its attic. Ancient Ephesus, including the agora, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.
Did you know? The gate's builders, Mazaeus and Mithridates, had both been slaves: Mazaeus was freed by the emperor Augustus and Mithridates by his general Marcus Agrippa, whom the monument honours in gratitude.
How long is a visit to Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates worth your time?
Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Ephesus, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Ephesus
Day 1 of the Ephesus in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Tetragonos (Commercial) Agora and the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates
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