The Monumental Fountain Building Of Aurelia Paulina Perge, 195-204 AD

Perge Antique City Facade from the F4 Nymphaeum 2nd century AD. The monumental fountain building or "nymphaeum" numbered F4 was discovered in excavations at Perge, between 1975 and 1977. It is located to the west of the court between the Hellenistic towers and Late Period city gate in the south of the city.

This monumental fountain building is 22.6 meters in height and 3.90 meters wide and has paired column architecture and has a facade covered with rich decorations. Most of the important finds of architectural pieces from the building obtained from excavations belong to the facade. From the right to the left the figures are: Eros, The Three Graces, (Kharites), Artemis and an Artemis priestess. Dionysos, Aphrodite and another Eros were depicted on the front of the facade. Some tritons play trumpets made from oyster shells located in the corners of the facade and Helios and Selene were located facing one another in the part looking inside.

This Fountain Building is understood to have been constructed during the rule of the Roman Empire's Severan Dynasty, both from its architectural character and from the dedicatory inscription.

The Monumental Fountain Building Of Aurelia Paulina Perge/195-204 AD. It was understood from the inscription on two pieces from under the facade of the F2 Fountain building at Perge that this monumental structure was constructed by order of a lady named Aurelia Pauline who lived at Perge. The temple of Artemis Pergalia granted the title of "Artemis Priestess" to Aurelia Paulina for her important service. The female statue of the Priestess of Artemis type displayed in our hall depicts Aurelia Paulina. This Priestess of Artemis lived during the reign of the Emperor Commodus. Through gaining Roman citizenship rights she acquired the name Aurelia Paulina.

Translation of the inscriptions belonging to the fountain:

1. Eternal priestess of the owners of right of asylum Artemis Pergalia: Aurelia Paulina, son --- of Aurelia Tertulla and Dyanisos daughter of Apellas, very old and great Mother Superior of imperial culture with her husband Aquilus, natural son of Kidramuas in the city of Sillyon, Olympian Comodous who rewarded the Roman people with citizen rights: had This Fountain constructed with special aid and had it completely decorated.

2. Eternal goddess of the owners of right of asylum Artemis Pergalia and Emperor Caesearen L. Septimus Severus Pertinax Augustos and Marcus Aurelius Antonius Augustus (and P. Septimus Geta Ceassar) and Julia Donma Augusto to the mother of all armies and to whole home of Augustus and the beloved father's city.