The Temple of Dionysus at Teos

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Teos

Teos was a Greek city located on the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor, in a region known in antiquity as Ionia. Today, the ruins of Teos are located near the modern town of Sığacık, in Izmir province, Turkey. The ancients knew Teos for its hospitality, wine, theatre, and temple of Dionysus.

Location of Teos.

The Temple of Dionysus

The Temple of Dionysus was a medium-sized hexastyle peripteral temple in the Ionic order, measuring 35m in length and 18.5m in width from the corners of the stylobate (the topmost step of the foundation upon which the columns stand).

The Teians dedicated the temple to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fruit, fertility, festivity, and theatre, also known as Bacchus. It featured a figural frieze, depicting the festivities associated with Dionysus (not depicted in this reconstruction).

It was built using a locally quarried bluish-grey marble. In this reconstruction, we chose to depict it covered in a white render and painted with vibrant colours. Polychromy, the art of painting pottery, sculpture, and architecture, was a common practice in the ancient world. A red, white, and blue colour scheme was common in Greek temple architecture.

Construction Date

The temple was originally built in the Hellenistic period. Estimations on the date of the temple’s original construction vary, ranging from 225 to 150 BCE. Many of the architectural fragments belonging to the temple date to the Hadrianic period (117 to 138 CE), suggesting that the temple was substantially rebuilt at this time.

De Architectura

In his treatise, De Architectura, Roman engineer and architect Vitruvius (born 80-70 BCE) mentions Greek architect Hermogenes of Priene (late 3rd – early 2nd century BCE) as the architect of the Temple of Dionysus at Teos.

De Architectura is significant as it is the only architectural treatise to survive from antiquity. Vitruvius mentions the lost architectural writings of many authors (including Hermogenes).

” […] at Teos in Asia Minor there is one which is hexastyle, dedicated to Father Bacchus.”

De Architectura, Book III, Chapter III, Paragraph 8.

Archaeological History

Antiquarian Richard Chandler and architect Nicholas Revett carried out the first archaeological study of the sanctuary of Dionysus at Teos in an expedition undertaken on behalf of the Society of Dilettanti between 1764 and 1765.

In 1862 R. P. Pullan carried out the first archaeological excavation of the temple in the third expedition to Asia Minor undertaken on behalf of the Dilettanti. Pullan produced architectural drawings and plans of the temple which are largely accurate.

Upon hearing that the Society of Dilettanti had granted funds for the exploration of the Temple of Bacchus at Teos, I commenced making preparations for departure from Smyrna. Spiro, the dragoman recommended by Mr. Consul Blunt – who had accompanied me when I made the preliminary survey of the coast – agreed to attend me on this occasion also.

Excerpt from Mr. Pullan’s Report on Excavations at Teos. From the Antiquities of Ionia, Part IV.

In 1924 a French expedition led by Yves Béquignon and Alfred Laumonier excavated the site. This study provided new information about the area surrounding the temple, revealing evidence of a monumental altar, and the trapezoidal plan of the structures that enclosed the temenos.

The sanctuary of Dionysus, in Teos, has not yet provided the study with all the documents it must deliver. Superficially explored by the Dilettanti, it seems to merit further exploration.

Excerpt from Fouilles de Téos (1924). Machine translated from French.

A Turkish team led by Yusuf Boysal and Baki Öğün carried out further excavations between 1962 and 1967. In addition they carried out restorations, partially re-erecting fallen columns, and reconstructing part of the temple’s foundation using concrete.

The temple was studied by architect Duran Mustafa Uz between 1980 and 1991, focusing on the layout and topography of the temenos area, and the architecture of the temple and stoas.

Excavation and conservation works have been carried out since 2010 under professor Musa Kadıoğlu from the University of Ankara. Ongoing studies continue to shed new light on the original appearance of the sanctuary of Dionysus at Teos.

Reconstruction

This reconstruction attempts to depict the temple how it may have looked after a restoration in the 2nd century CE.

We would like to emphasise that this reconstruction is speculative in nature, and is the result of both research and creativity (see our about page for more information). We will continue to update our reconstruction as new archaeological evidence comes to light.

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Gallery

Click on images to enlarge.

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