Conférence / Διάλεξη

Martin Schmid

The Architecture of the Temple of Aphrodite at Amathus, Cyprus

“The sanctuary of Aphrodite from its origin to the beginning of the imperial era” has been published in 2006 by Antoine Hermary and Sabine Fourrier with the collaboration of the architect.
This presentation focuses on the roman era and more particurly on the architecture of the temple whose manuscript “the temple of the Cypriot Aphrodite” by Antoine Hermary and myself, has just been submitted for publication.
The construction of the Roman Temple can be dated between 70 and 100 AD, thanks to the discovery of a monetary foundation deposit. It was the dominant monument of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite considered one of the most important in Cyprus, one of the three which, according to Tacitus, had the privilege of granting the right of asylum.
The only remains of the Temple preserved in situ are the stepped crepis along the north wall, and some steps of the access staircase. The crepis is composed of 3 steps but only the first 2 are preserved. Surmounted by a plinth, they supported the wall that was not surrounded by a colonnade like most Greek temples but by a wall decorated with pilasters. Only 4 columns were detached on the front.
Fallen blocks along the west façade and numerous blocks reemployed in the later basilica have allowed us to propose a probable restitution of the temple, particularly the plan and the facades but also the inner decoration.
The magnificent Aphrodite’s temple at Amathus with its beautiful tetrastyle facade presents not only both Greek and Nabatean features but also roman particularly in the manner of construction. Special attention has been given to its geometric features. Indeed the relationship between width and length of the temple and between architectural elements are determined by geometric lines based on squares giving thus harmonic proportions.