🏛️ Ad Drinum-Aquae Sulphurae
Roman settlement and thermal springs in Anatolia
Road 4 is an ancient Roman street within the archaeological site of Ephesus, one of the most significant cities of the eastern Roman Empire. Located in western Turkey near the modern town of Selçuk, this thoroughfare represents the planned urban layout characteristic of Roman municipal design during the Imperial period.
🏗️ Roman Urban Planning
- The road is part of Ephesus's grid-based street system, typical of Roman cities
- Connected residential, commercial, and administrative quarters of the city
- Constructed with stone and paved surfaces designed for foot and wheeled traffic
📍 Archaeological Context
- Situated within the broader Ephesus excavation zone, continuously studied since the 19th century
- Provides evidence of daily life, commerce, and urban movement patterns in a major Roman provincial city
- Visible remains include paving stones and adjacent building foundations
🕐 Historical Period
- Dates to the 1st–2nd centuries CE, during the height of Ephesus's prosperity
- Reflects the city's development under Roman rule following its conquest in 129 BCE
🎫 Access and Preservation
- Accessible to visitors through the Ephesus archaeological park entrance
- Subject to ongoing preservation and conservation efforts by Turkish authorities and international partners
🌟 Final Word
Road 4 exemplifies the infrastructure that sustained one of antiquity's greatest cities. While modest compared to Ephesus's monumental temples and theatres, this street illuminates the practical realities of Roman urban life and remains an important element of the archaeological landscape at this UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site.
- Location: Near modern Dinar, Afyonkarahisar Province, western Türkiye
- Period: Roman era, likely 1st–3rd centuries CE
- Notable Feature: Natural sulfurous thermal springs exploited for bathing and healing
- Current Status: Archaeological site with scattered remains and ongoing scholarly interest
Ad Drinum-Aquae Sulphurae was a minor Roman settlement established near thermal springs in Anatolia. The site derives its ...