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The Rotunda Monument

Termessos, Pisidia, Asia Minor (Turkey)

In front of the east side of the main temple, right on the edge of the abyss, the foundations of two small structures, one of which is built in the form of an aedicule lie. With the exception of the foundations, a bench and a few base stones, one monument has disappeared without a trace. The other one was possible to identify through the numerous fragments that were found.

The architrave was made up of six pieces, and supported by six engaged columns about 3 m. high with Attic bases supporting an ornate ceiling. The space between the columns was filled, perhaps only partially with numerous blocks found belonging to these partition walls.

It is assumed that it had an opening between two columns, completely open or closed by a movable grille. This assumption was made after noticing two of the engaged columns blocks had been reduced by half on the inside (see the black colored engaged columns on the first picture cross section)

Numerous workpieces cut at right angles show that this rotunda, like the Monument of Lysicrates, stood on a square substructure. This includes pieces of cornice, smooth ashlars and base pieces, four corner pieces and two Intermediate pieces. The height of the base and the number of steps is unknown. The small building, which was made entirely of marble , differs so much in its style from everything else that has been preserved in buildings in Termessos that it has to be ascribed to an older construction period. Its relation to the Monument of Lysicrates in Athens cannot be mistaken.