Art and Architecture in Roman Asia Minor

Section of a mosaic from the market at Ephesus

Art and architecture, perhaps better than any other aspect of high culture during the time, shows the complex relationship between the Roman Empire and the cities of Asia Minor during the second century C.E.  For these cities were neither culturally subjugated to Rome nor autonomous from it;  rather, they found a way to live under and even enjoy Roman rule (a regime under which many of the cities were more prosperous than they ever had been or would be), taking on some aspects of Roman culture life, while simultaneously perpetuating and embellishing the Hellenistic culture that was their heritage.  The resulting culture can be seen in large as well as small examples of art, in buildings as well as objects.

Despite the political domination of Asia by Rome, there was not a movement toward Roman aesthetics on the part of the historically Greek cities.  Rome did not rule with a heavy hand in Anatolia, imposing its ideals upon the population as it did in other areas, and the Romans admired the culture of Classical Greece that was kept alive in the cities of Asia Minor.  In fact, Roman emperors (notably Hadrian) were eager and willing to spend great sums of money to support that culture, a fact that led to competition among the cities for imperial favour and funds.  An example of this is the construction of the Library of Celsus in Ephesus.

However, just as the Romans became somewhat Hellenized, the cultural life of Asia Minor did have to adapt to the conditions of Roman rule.  Roman forms of fresco-painting were introduced, and buildings for which there was no Greek precedent (such as baths) were built in imitation of Roman styles.