Masterpiece of Roman art: Ephesus Parthian Monument

One of the great monuments from Ephesus, the Parthian (Antonine) Monument showcases the Antonine dynasty, including Hadrian's adoption of Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Venus, Venus' conquest of the Parthians, and the apotheosis (deification) of Lucius Venus. This "altar" remains a mysterious monument. We'll examine the various theories about its creation and use. It's one of the most amazing second century AD monuments from the Roman Empire! A quick overview is followed by detailed shots of every panel!
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0:00 Introduction
1:00 Ephesus the city
1:42 Parthian Monument, an imperial dynastic monument
3:25 Discovery of monument and speculation on its original context and appearance
5:30 Purpose of the monument
6:03 Discussion of the 4 main narrative segments

[@TWOCOWS1]

I had never heard of this before. THANK YOU Darius. It is like discovering new things everytime I see one of your videos. Thank you, thank you. I always thought only the altar of Pergamum in Berlin had such details. This is even better. Like you, I am overwehlmed. I have been to Vienna twice, but never knew about this nor visited it. Now I have to go back for sure.

[@DariusArya]

Glad you liked it! I had ALWAYS meant to visit it... Finally got here- was THRILLED- I had to go back and see it again on the same trip!

[@TWOCOWS1]

@@DariusArya I am still speachless, Darius. How could I ve missed this in Vienna?!?. It is magnificient--almost looking unreal. So detailed, so sophisticated, so masterfully executed. And you say many of them were repurposed. How could the details surived if they used some of them for pavements???

[@luluandmeow]

Thank you Darius for introducing us to this masterpiece, definitely makes me want to visit Ephesus and Vienna

[@DariusArya]

You should!

[@user-en9qd5nx8w]

Darius, I've been watching you bring the ancient world into our homes for many years now. I want to thank you so much for sharing the passion you have for antiquity with all of us.

[@DariusArya]

Wow, thank you! Be sure to check out @ancientromelive channel as well - but I think you already know it.

[@davidpescod7573]

Another informative video explaining the remarkable series of marble scenes carved into numerous panels, currently on view in Vienna, which originally graced a building in Ephesus which must have been on a monumental scale. You mention that most of the panels had been lost or hidden, coming to light in the early years of the twentieth century. This may well account for the crisp, clear, bright surface to what is a relatively soft stone. Utterly brilliant! Thanks, Darius, for your illuminating commentary

[@DariusArya]

Yes, we might have lost its original context (that will eventually- lets' hope- be discovered)- but we've retained a sense of a complex monument in downtown Ephesus.

[@StephenDavenport-zqz2ub]

I have heard of the Elgin Marbles but not the Parthian Alter. Another interesting video, thank you.

[@scummymummy2548]

Beautiful ❤ thank you once again

[@silva7493]

Once again I'm sitting here with mouth agape, speechless... HOW amazing... I've never heard of this. Thank you.

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@walterphoenix8045]

Incredible, thank you for sharing!

[@DariusArya]

Thanks for watching!

[@spankflaps1365]

Imagine having all those wonderful classical towns, in beautiful scenery, and smashing it all up?

[@DariusArya]

By that time, the city was degrading and lots of monuments were reused for new projects... what a strange reality to envision.

[@ralfjansen9118]

After towns have degraded, too often the old useless monuments and buildings were teared apart by the citizens themselves as material to build protective walls against the barbarians.

[@DonariaRegia]

What we often attribute to malice is typical of earthquake damage. Much of the ancient capital city was brought down in such a manner, the Colosseum being the most prominent example.

[@kev3d]

What a treasure.

[@jtiv4972]

Stolen Treasures...

[@kerryrwalton7791]

Right on the money! As soon as I began the video I thought it reminded me of Berlin....thank you. I hope to get back to Vienna one day to see this...don't know how I missed it.

[@DariusArya]

Please do!

[@user-uz2op6og3l]

To see this is awesome!

[@DariusArya]

Stunning!

[@petersanders4884]

Again a great enjoyable Video. I would love to visit both places in person. Keep up the magic for us Darius 🙂

[@DariusArya]

Thank you! Will do!

[@mattmcdonnellart]

very interesting. I never knew of these fragments. thanks for posting.

[@gregmiller9710]

great show! indeed great gems! :)

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cliveroberts415]

I visited Ephesus last October, it was high on my bucket list and didn't disappoint. Can get very busy though

[@DariusArya]

Yes it's really become quite popular.

[@RizzstrainingOrder66]

really enjoyed watching, thank you

[@DariusArya]

Excellent, thank you. Just wanted to share my enthusiasm for the site and the museum!

[@davidolien2828]

Thank you once again for another impressive program!

[@DariusArya]

Thanks again!

[@zacharyfindlay-maddox171]

Beautiful!

[@DariusArya]

Thank you!

[@FlexibleFlyer50]

Always learn something new when watching these videos. The old adage, "one look is worth a thousand words" suits the bill here.

[@DariusArya]

Absolutely - I had a BLAST -probably spent about 3 hours looking at it.

[@RP-mm9ie]

thank you once again

[@DariusArya]

Thank you for watching.

[@timhazeltine3256]

Thank you for highlighting this monument. Do you think another possible antecedent for the monument's original appearance might be the Julio-Claudian era Sebasteion at Aphrodisias?

[@DariusArya]

Absolutely - spot on!

[@andyroo9381]

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! This is nothing less than beautiful sculpture. You talked a lot about "adoption". I am wondering if the Romans adopted family members who may have lost their mother or father in a war or battle? Did the Romans adopt complete strangers into their family? I also take it, adoption was considered a "good" thing and not a taboo issue?

[@carlabattistella1483]

Amazing

[@DariusArya]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@carleslazaro6117]

I love Faustina and Antoninus

[@jg90049]

Fascinating video! Stands to reason for me that the monument was erected under Marcus Aurelius in honor of Verus.

[@DariusArya]

Thank you for watching. Yes, totally a possibility.

[@Tyche42]

Fascinating!! Do you know where the other panels (the ones not in Vienna) are displayed?

[@DariusArya]

Ephesus Museum in Turkey

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

Lucius Verus likely died of plague.A great loss to the Roman Empire at a time of growing peril.We need more of these videos.

[@DariusArya]

Yes, more on the way. We'll have one on the Column of Marcus Aurelius on @ancientromelive before too long. I was lucky to ascend that one, too!

[@grafneun]

Unbelievable

[@RyanJohnsonD]

Are the portico systems used for shady walkways for the public? What other ways did they provide shade for public highways/walkways?

[@DariusArya]

Yes, for shade (and protection from rain)- also provided coverage for businesses set up within the structures... including schools.

[@RoxanaCastellanos71]

Craxus

[@alanCalhoun2]

These scene appears to me as pure Roman Propaganda. First I see a Scythian helmet that was probably worn By Dacia in mourning because he was Conquered by Romans. Secondly Apollo was probably their Patron Deity and he is flying away? Because Apollo was the preferred Ancient Greek worshiped by most Ancient Greek and Provincial Cultures. While Ancient Ephesus was spelled E - Φ was the honey pot of ancient Greek. All the "Tony's" Antoine Dynasty Emperors are standing up tall in their military gear presenting themselves as god like. Ephesus was such a great place with so much history. I like your presentation. Thank You!

[@DariusArya]

Yes totally a way to promote the magnificence of imperial Rome... truly one of the best 2C artistic creations in the empire- yet, so little known or discussed! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@maxvanbalgooy]

I’m trying to figure out how this monument was supposed to be experienced when completed. Because there are three scenes, does that mean these are displayed on three different walls? Does the viewer see them at the same time or in a progression? Would there have been as associated altar?

[@DariusArya]

Great questions - but it's all up in the air. No one knows the location or what the altar looked like. The video mentions the Ara Pacis and Pergamon Altar as possible templates. Watch the entire video!

[@marcusroele]

Absolute boredom really fuels some amazing works. I wonder what great art or inventions are being lost today because the creators are too busy yelling at some other person on Xbox or Playstation etc. If Archimedes was born in the last 20 years he would be like...."Give me a lever and I can get myself off this couch to get some more cheesy puffs...also...what is a lever?"

[@nascarbryant]

Hi Arya… Is it Roma victor or Roma victrix…?

[@DariusArya]

Roma Victrix... but in Gladiator it's "Roma Victor!"

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

👍🇨🇦

[@DariusArya]

Thank you! It’s so important - but rarely examined. Should be in every Roman book!

[@llanitedave]

Now we see the violence inherent in the system!

[@JohnSmith-en6ev]

Greco roman city

[@pedrozatravel]

Why is this in Austria? Shouldn't these artifacts be in Turkey?

[@DariusArya]

As per the video, they were legally excavated and brought to Austria. Austrians have a long history of excavating in Ephesus. In more recent times, it's become a political issue, with the Turkish government freezing their dig permits at times.

[@JohnSmith-en6ev]

Turks didn't respect their greco roman past. They let it go.

[@pedrozatravel]

@@JohnSmith-en6ev I have been to Turkey and I think they honor it quite well. The Turkish people today are an amalgamation of a lot of influences. They have a major museum dedicated to Ephesus dedicated to that era in Istanbul and in Ephesus they have conserved everything very well. They even built a multi million dollar covering that not only covers the site but allows you to observe the beautiful paintings left on the walls. Also, in Ankara they have a very comprehensive museum of anatolian civilizations.

[@ezzovonachalm9815]

Roma VICTRIX

[@MMijdus]

This does not belong in Vienna but in Ephesus!! It think it's stolen 😊

[@JohnSmith-en6ev]

Turks didn't respect their greco roman past. They let it go.

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

Both President Bush Senior and President Bush Junior would be entitled to call themselves Iraquicus.President Bush Junior would also be entitled to call himself Afghanicus. After all the Romans had Germanicus and Brittanicus.

[@charlesrb3898]

The Romans actually retained their conquests unlike The Bushys.

[@scaspia]

Has the Turkish government ever tried to get these back, a la the British Museum/Greek authorities?

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

@@scaspia The Turks have absolutely no right to them whatever. They were not created by Turks.If any one should have them they should go to Rome or Italy.

[@xmaniac99]

Didn’t they lose though? How many American cities where founded and still thrive today in these ravaged nations?

[@michel-zi9zx]

And Scipio Africanus