Didyma, Turkey

Didyma is located within boundaries of Eskihisar village, subject to Soke. Apollo temples, constructed in Didyma in B.C. 8th and 7th century, were small and modest structures. Temple of Apollo becomes a great temple just in B.C. 6th Century. Temple, constructed for the name of God Apollo, is the greatest prophecy center in Western Anatolia. The first great temple, constructed in Ion order between B.C. 560-550, was dipteral structure in the sizes of 38,39 x 85,15m. There was an altar in the front section of temple. The new temple, constructed in B.C. 300, is third great temple, located in Aegean world, coming after Temple of Artemis in Ephesus and Temple of Hera in Samos. Architects of temple are Paionios from Ephesus And Daphnis from Miletus. Temple is in the size of 51,13 x 109,34 m. Although it is greater than the old temple, the same plan is applied. There are total 120 columns, of which 108 double columns surround the temple and 12 columns located in the pronaos. Height of columns was about 19,70m Temple was located on a base with seven steps. Gryphon frieze in Adition and cella walls and other god busts, head pieces, ornamented with bull and grphon heads, friezes with decorated Medusa heads belong to the same period. Medusa reliefs, constituting frieze on the outer column line of the temple, belong to A.D. II. Century. Stadium stracture, in which religious ceremonies and sacred races are organized, are located in 15m south of the temple. Temple is abondaned in the Christianity period. Church and some houses are constructed into the temple; Byzantines make barracks and military garrison. Temple, having many fires, is destroyed completely during the earthquake, occurred in 15th Century. A village is constituted around the temple by benefiting from remains of temple in 19th Century.

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