The Temple of Aphrodite, Aphrodisias

Black and white image of the Temple of Aphrodite which was a focal point of the town as the chief sanctuary of the city. Aphrodisias is probably a Greek version of Ninoe. The cult of the goddess of Aphrodisias is of great antiquity, not dissimilar to the cults of Kybele, Artemis of Ephesus and other Anatolian mother-goddesses, such as Hittite Kubaba. The construction of the Temple of Aphrodite was started in the late first century BC and completed early first century AD. As completed, it was a pseudodipteral structure, 8.5 X 31 m in dimensions, with eight columns along the front and back and thirteen on the sides. It underwent several changes over the time. In the second century AD, possibly during the reign of Hadrian, the temple was enclosed within an elaborate temenos structure, consisting of a two-storied aedicular facade on the east side, and porticos on the north, south, and west. Around AD 500, the temple was converted for use as the city's cathedral.135 film (36×24 mm