A Brothel House
At the lower end of the Embolos on its left side, just opposite the gateway, are the remains of a building complex that contained the public latrines. An inscription in the latrines indicates that the complex also included a brothel, which comprised a reception hall, bedrooms, a dining room, a bath and a pool. Sevarel of the chambers still retain their original mosaic decoration, though their frescoes have all but disappeared. The phallic statue of Priapus, now in the museum in Selšuk, was found in a well within the brothel.
The complex originally built in the late first century A.D. or early in the following century. Around the year 400 the structure was extensively renovated and converted into a large baths by a wealthy Christian lady named Scholastica, who presumably would have eliminated the brothel. The Baths of Scholastica included a large colonnaded hall used as a public meeting place. Some of the columns in this hall were taken from the temple of Hestia Boulea; inscribed on them are lists of the Curetes who served in this sanctuary. Near the entrance to the baths there is a headless statue, believed to be a representation of the lady Scholoastica.
It is supposed to have been connected by tunnel to the
Celsus Library. The house is thought to have been built around 98 to 117
in the time of Trajan. Behind it was some restoration of parts of the
Latrines and Scholasticia Baths. The building was identified by an
inscription found in the latrine. The entrance was on the Marble Street
with another door opening onto Curates' Avenue. The second floor was
completely destroyed. There is a well beside it on Curates' Avenue.
Pottery figures that were found in the well are on display in the Museum.