Namazgah in İzmir in Konak, Turkey — West Asia or Southeast Europe
Honorary Inscription
Diophantos'u Onurlandırma Yazıtı
English Text:
Honorary inscription erected by the city of Smyrna in honor of the chief priest of the Province of Asia, Iulius Menekles Diophantos (200-250 A.D.)
"May good fortune attend. In beauty and size the first and most famous city of Asia, the capital, three times neocorus in accordance with the decision of the most sacred council (the Roman Senate), the adornment of Ionia and his beloved home country, Smyrna, (has honored) Julius Menecles Diophantus, chief priest of the Imperial cult in Asia, who organized gladiator games including fights with sharp weapons and lasting five consecutive days."
Turkish Text:
İyi talihle. Güzellik ve büyüklükte Asialnın birincisi ve en ünlü şehri, başkent, en kutsal meclisin (Roma senatosu) kararı uyarınca üç kere neokoros olan şehir, İonia'nın süsü Smyma, onun sevgili vatanı, keskin silahlarla yapılan dövüşleri içeren ve ardarda beş gün süren gladiator oyunlarını düzenlemiş olan, Asiasdaki imparatorluk kültünün başrahibi lulius Menekles Diophantos'u (onurlandırdı).
Erected by Izmir Chamber of Commerce.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 38° 25.143′ N, 27° 8.305′ E. Marker is in İzmir, in Konak. It is in Namazgah. Marker can be reached from Tarik Sari Sokağı just east of Eşrefpaşa Cd., on the left when traveling east. This marker is situated in the Smyrna archaeological park, which is in a business/residential neighborhood. This particular marker is located in the basement area of the agora's porticoes. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: İzmir 35240, Turkey. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Neocorus of the Cult of the Emperor at Smyrna (here, next to this marker); The Basement of the West Portico (a few steps from this marker); Water Channels (a few steps from this marker); The Dream of Alexander the Great (a few steps from this marker); The West Portico (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ancient City of Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Ancient City of Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker); The Agora of Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in İzmir.
More about this marker. Note, I was not certain of this marker's exact GPS location, as I was part of a tour and needed to keep moving to try to keep up, so my basement portico locations are all guesstimates.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.