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Towards a Study of the Architectural Decoration of Public Buildings in Parion During the Early Roman Empire
Parion was one of the principal centers of the Roman province of Asia, and the remains of several public buildings adorned with intricate architectural decorations have been uncovered and partially explored. Among these structures are a theater, an odeon, and thermae, all dating to the Roman Empire. In addition to these edifices, other public buildings in the central part of Roman-era Parion remain undiscovered, raising important questions about the organization of public space and the architectural character of the city’s core during the Early Empire. One of the most promising areas for further exploration is the “Agora” sector, bordered to the south by the odeon and to the north by the theater and thermae. This article offers an architectural and historical analysis of the Corinthian order details found in this sector. The architectural elements discussed were uncovered during archaeological excavations conducted between 2015 and 2022 (Figs. 1-6). Although the available materials are insufficient to definitively identify the specific structures to which these decorative elements belonged, their forms, ornamentation, dimensions, and modules exhibit notable similarities to the architectural details of the southern façade of Hadrian’s Gate in Ephesus. This resemblance suggests a commonality in their architectural compositions and, by extension, the types of structures they adorned. Consequently, it is plausible to infer that these architectural elements were part of a portico associated with a building complex in the Agora. The design of this complex (or at least part of it) likely reflects Hadrian’s extensive building program in the Roman province of Asia.