The Restoration of the Nymphaeum of Trajanus in Miletus between Formal Renovation and Structural Repair

Located on the west coast of Asia Minor, near the Meander River delta and in a high-seismic risk area, Miletus experienced numerous destructive earthquakes throughout its long history, representing therefore an ideal case study for the examination of ancient architectural restoration. As part of a broader investigation into the restoration woks conducted on the public monuments of the Agora of Miletus in antiquity, this contribution offers a comprehensive reassessment of the 3rd century restoration of the Nymphaeum of Traianus. The monumental fountain was erected by Marcus Victor Traianus, the father of the Emperor Traianus, between 79 and 80 CE in the southern sector of the Agora. The central issue of the investigation was the identification and contextualization of the renovation of the building undertaken during the Emperor Gordianus III (238-244 CE), which is mentioned in the Greek dedicatory inscription carved on the blocks of the third storey. The focus of the study was to assess the architectural implications of the inscription, which could conceal a major restoration not limited to the renovation of the decorative apparatus, as the inscription suggests, but aimed at addressing possible structural damages that the monument may have suffered. Through a comprehensive review of archival documentation and a systematic survey of the archaeological evidence, intended to identify restoration traces on both architectural elements and structures, the analysis revealed widespread repairs on the blocks of the façade, particularly on the upper levels, accompanied by significant consolidation of the building’s fabric. This evidence indicates therefore that the restoration conducted under the reign of Gordianus III extended beyond aesthetic refurbishment and instead addressed substantial structural damages, potentially caused by seismic activity, which required an extensive and coordinated intervention.