Gymnasium at Sardis

[bahadir]

Dating back to the second century AD, this Romancomplexwas constructed by Septimius Severus.Its part to the lefthandside, whichyou do not seein the photo, was later converted into a synagogue in the third century AD.

[Greg Chappell]

Wow, what I see in your photo is much better in terms of physical shape than most Roman ruins I've seen. It's pretty obviousthere aremany more places I needto get out andsee. Nice image.

One of my co-workers just returned from a 16 daytrip where he spent most if the time inInstanbul. He's avoided me this week because he knows the first thing I'll ask is when I can see his pictures...

[Old Jim]

Not what I expected to see in a Roman ruin. Your capture in this photo is as poetic as your words Bahadir. Thanks for sharing.

[bahadir]

Woow, Greg! What a pleasant surprise toread your comments for my post...

Greg Chappell wrote:

Wow, what I see in your photo is much better in terms of physical shape than most Roman ruins I've seen.

Then you should pay a visit to the southern shores of Anatolia to see the best preserved theater of antiquity, the Aspendos Theater, which was built in the second century AD during the reign oftheRoman emperor Marcus Aurelius known as one of the Five Good Emperors.

He's avoided me this week because he knows the first thing I'll ask is when I can see his pictures...

PS. Why don't you convince your friend to be a member, too?

[bahadir]

Dear Jim,I am utterly delighted byyourkind favour for the plainwords by which Ihave beenscarcely able to express my impressions in front of eternal qualities wecan share. Still, I find the bestnarrationfor this edifice I shot, for example, which reminds me of the lives and dreams of my distant forefathers andmy existanceas the last of Trojans here, insome stanzas written in blank verse by Poe:

Here, where a hero fell, a column falls!

Here, where the mimic eagle glared in gold,

A midnight vigil holds the swarthy bat!

Here, where the dames of Rome their gilded hair

Waved the wind, now wave the reed and thisle!

...

[cmoy]

Great photo and building Bahadir!

[alex james]

hi Bahadir, another very nice shot from you, bet this place can tell a story.

[bahadir]

So glad to haveread your kind words of appreciation, Chris. I have a feeling you mayenjoy the History Channel...

.................................................. ................................

Alex wrote:

...bet this place can tell a story.

And I bet you are one of those gifted people who can hear such an ancient story roaming in the air like the odour from melissa at night...

[toshi43]

I found some very interesting websites on these ruins which showed this building from a few different angles, and it looks unbelievably modern and intact given it's age. The artistic and engineering acheivements of the people that built these incredible places so long ago never ceases to astonish me. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in such close touch with history as you are, Bahadir, and to have such an incredibly insightful appreciation of it is something I can only dream of. Keep 'em coming, my friend.

[bahadir]

I am so happy to have read your sincere and eloquent words again, Toshi.

Youwrote:

The artistic and engineering acheivements of the people that built these incredible places so long ago never ceases to astonish me.

...metoo I remember drawing Roman troops encamping or marching over hills before I could write, maybe when I was five!

I can't imagine what it must be like to be in such close touch with history...

Just get on the next plane and don't even bother about the logistical aspect, Toshi Cause I am here!