4th century BC is the most
important period of the temple. At the times of the satraps
named Mausolos (377 - 352 BC) and Idrieus (351 - 344 BC),
this place gained a new appearance. In 355, during the
sacrifice festival in Labranda, Mausolos escaped from
an assassination towards him at the last moment. Buildings
such as a series of artificial terraces here, one or two
entrance buildings, a small Dor building (probably a fountain
building), monumental stairs, two large feast halls (androns),
shed building (named as oikoi), Stoa and Zeus Temple surrounded
with columns must be constructed after this event. With
the death of Idrieus in 344, such works have been stopped.
Because of the big fire disaster that took place in 4th
century BC, the holy area has lost its feature of being
a cult place.
The excavation works here have been started in 1948 by
A.W.Persson and are continuing with intervals since that
time. The current excavations are being executed by P.
Hellström.
The access from Mylasa to the holy area had been provided
via the holy road having a width of 8 m. The laying traces
on this road can be seen even today. Access to the area
had been provided with one of the two entrance buildings
(propylon). These were impressive passage doors made of
Milas marble, having two columns and Ionian frontons on
each side.
The building called as "Dor building" was located
at just east of the southern propylon building with its
irregular formation close to a rectangle. It is a building
that is turned towards north, has four columns, a front
courtyard, a marble side and is in Dor style. It absolutely
had the function of a fountain building. This small building
has been included in the bath complex.
200 m west of the holy building, lies the stadium whose
back side is reinforced with a retaining wall. The starting
and end stones of the competitions are still existing
at both ends. It is supposed that some competitions have
been made here during the feast of 5 days made in the
holy area. |
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