In the ancient city of Stratonikeia, near the modern town of Eskihisar in Turkey, archaeologists have discovered a rare Roman-era library, dating back approximately 2,000 years. Located at the intersection of four main streets, it was originally built in the Hellenistic period and rebuilt in the Roman era. The library's architecture reflects the cultural richness and intellectual life of the time.
Stratonikeia, known as the "city of gladiators" and one of the largest marble cities of antiquity, has been the focus of systematic archaeological excavations since 1977 under the direction of Professor Bilal Söğüt of Pamukkale University. The city is included in the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
According to archaeologists, the library was located near the ancient theater and included a central hall, reading rooms, and storage areas. Some of the architectural elements, including mosaics, date back to the 4th century AD, indicating its continued importance in the late antiquity period.
It is believed that the library building was constructed by a master from Ephesus, a cultural center of the ancient Aegean region. The discovery represents an important contribution to understanding the role of knowledge, education, and library architecture in the Roman Empire.
Although no manuscript fragments have been reported yet, researchers emphasize that the library reflects the academic and political life of the ancient city. Ongoing excavations promise to reveal even more information about the intellectual history of Anatolia.