The Terrace Houses in Ephesus, located on the northern slope of Bülbüldağı Hill, exemplify the magnificence of Roman household architecture. This opulent residence complex, located opposite to Curetes Street and facing the Temple of Hadrian, provides an unmatched glimpse into the lives of the city’s aristocracy. Excavation investigations have revealed two major complexes—Eastern and Western—each demonstrating the elaborate planning and exquisite living that typified Ephesus’ Roman period. The continual restoration of these villas reveals new elements, guaranteeing that these ancient marvels remain a valuable site for archaeological research and public attraction.

The Historical Background of the Terrace Houses

The Terrace Houses date back to the classical period, from the sixth to fourth centuries BC, when the land was first used as a graveyard. By 200 BC, Bülbüldağı Hill had developed into a residential area with three terraces. Massive stone walls supported these terraces, laying the groundwork for the subsequent construction of magnificent Roman villas. The Roman period saw the transition from Hellenistic to imperial-style housing, with the original structures dismantled to make place for newer and more sophisticated structures.

The Terrace Houses’ excavation began in 1960 and has proceeded continuously ever since, with new findings made every year. The restoration effort is still ongoing, providing visitors with a dynamic view of the ancient residents’ daily lives and architectural inventions.

The Role of the Terrace Houses in Roman Society

The Terrace Houses were developed using the Hippodamian plan, a grid-based urban architecture in which roads cross at right angles, allowing for a logical and effective use of space. The complex included luxury domus, or vast villas for the wealthy, as well as more humble houses for middle-class inhabitants. The region was an elite district reserved for ancient Ephesus’ wealthier classes, as seen by the ornate architecture and decorating, which were aimed to convey wealth and prestige.

Each villa in the complex had modern comforts of the period, such as running water, separate entrances from the street, and sophisticated interior designs. These homes were built not just to provide comfort, but also to demonstrate cultural and social status. The layout and opulence of the homes represented the importance of family, wealth, and prestige in Roman culture.

Wall Paintings and Graffiti: Insights into Daily Life

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Terrace Houses is the abundance of wall murals and graffiti discovered within the structures. The paintings adorn several of the villas’ walls and show scenarios ranging from gladiators and caricatures to diverse animals. These bright paintings provide vital insights into the inhabitants’ interests and daily lives, as well as a unique connection to historical cultural and social dynamics.

In addition to the artworks, there are various graffiti inscriptions throughout the facility. These inscriptions include names, poems, and professions of love, providing a unique and personal view into the emotional and social exchanges that occurred within these walls. A series of listings addressing ordinary items and services, including pricing, is particularly interesting. These lists, which include onions, caraway, and access to thermal baths, give light on the period’s economic life and ancient Ephesians’ trading patterns.

The Eastern Complex: A Detailed Look at the Domus

The Terrace Houses’ Eastern Complex spans roughly 2,500 square meters and consists of residential dwellings built on three unique terraces. The domus is the most important structure in this complex, a large villa occupied by a wealthy family. The domus is made up of numerous intact rooms, including a central courtyard (peristyle) flanked by Ionic colonnades, a hall, a dining room, and a private basilica. The house was built at the beginning of the first century AD and has been changed over time, particularly following the earthquake of 37 AD, which required repairs.

The courtyard was rebuilt in the fourth century AD with colored marble revetments and a fountain, which added to the space’s richness. The hall, or oikos, includes a niche with a fountain, demonstrating the Roman preference for incorporating water components into their residential spaces. The private basilica, positioned south of the hall, underlines the home’s religious and ceremonial characteristics.

The Western Complex: A Showcase of Roman Luxury

The Western Complex is even larger, with at least five luxury homes each boasting peristyles or inner courtyards. Many of the villas’ interiors are decorated with beautiful frescoes and mosaics, some of which are among the best specimens of Roman art discovered in the region. These homes, like their counterparts in the Eastern Complex, had running water and multiple bathrooms with bathtubs.

The Western Complex houses the largest collection of Roman mosaic flooring in Western Turkey. The mosaics, which date from the early first century to the mid-third century AD, largely show geometric patterns made of small black and white stones. These mosaics clearly resemble the style of Roman mosaics found in Italy. Several of the mosaics, however, are colorful and portray legendary creatures like as Triton, Nereids, Dionysus, Medusa, and lions, providing a rich layer of creative expression to the villas.

Magnificent Villas and Frescoes

One of the Western Complex’s largest villas is a two-story peristyle house constructed in the first century AD and rebuilt in the second century AD. This large villa covers an astounding 900 square meters and has 12 rooms. The villa’s layout consists of a vestibule, a hall, a kitchen, and a bathroom with a bathtub. Ornamental floor mosaics and magnificent wall murals showing figures like as Heracles, Ariadne, Eros, and floral motifs decorate the villa, revealing the inhabitants’ affluence and artistic inclinations.

Another villa in this complex, originally built in the first century AD, is famous for its paintings, which depict two Eros figures and different birds, as well as a mosaic of a Nereid. A glass mosaic that had been smashed on the ground was methodically restored, saving this one-of-a-kind work of art. A peristyle house in the northeastern portion of the complex contains murals representing Apollo and the Muses from around 450 AD, while another house has an exceptional fresco of a seated Socrates, which is now on exhibit at the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk.

Ongoing Excavation and Restoration Efforts

Excavation and restoration work at the Terrace Houses is ongoing, with archaeologists meticulously revealing the past and preserving the delicate vestiges of these old homes. A vast roof covers the area, protecting the interior from weather damage and allowing visitors to observe archaeologists’ laborious attempts to bring these dwellings back to life.