The Celsus Library at Ephesus: Spatial Rhetoric, Literacy, and Hegemony in the Eastern Roman Empire

The Celsus Library at Ephesus served as a powerful symbol of Rome's cultural and political dominance during the early second century CE. While its elite patrons benefited from its instrumental functions, passersby from all social strata were exposed to its hegemonic display, reinforcing Roman authority. The study reconstructs the library's original appearance and spatial relationships using architectural analysis and historical records, offering insights into its rhetorical and literacy dimensions. This approach reveals how the library functioned not only as a repository of knowledge but also as a tool for asserting Roman power in the Eastern Empire.

Eidson, D. (2013). The Celsus Library at Ephesus: Spatial Rhetoric, Literacy, and Hegemony in the Eastern Roman Empire. Advances in the History of Rhetoric, 16(2), 189–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/15362426.2013.828663