Byllis, Its history and monuments, Neritan Ceka, Skënder Muçaj

Title: Byllis, Its history and monuments
Author: Neritan Ceka, Skënder Muçaj
Translated into english by: Kathleen Imholtz
Publisher: Migjeni
Year: 2005
Pgs. 120
Weight: 0.28 kg
ISBN: 978-99943-672-7-7

Fragments from the book

The Baths of Justinian

The cistern continued in use until the Byzantine period. Public baths were erected west of it, taking advantage of its water The structure of the baths is rectangular and measures 24.50x6.40 meters. It has a number of rooms, of which the following can be made out: the dressing room, cold water baths, warm room, sweat bath, hot room and oven and fire room.

Many bronze coins have been found in the praefurnum, dating from the destruction of the baths in 547-551 AD; they are the coin-age of Justinian 1 and Baduila. An inscription found on one of the city's walls is apparently from these baths and gives the time of their construction. The inscription, engraved on a tabula ansata and partially preserved, speaks of the construction of baths in the time of Justinian I. "I am the baths of the all powerful (ruler) Justinian, a beneficial (construction?)..."

The theater

The theater is the most important monument of Byllis of the ancient period. Together with the great stoa and the stadium, is determined the architectural composition of the agora from the middle of the third century BC. The southeast corner of the agora was chosen for construction of the theater. The sharp rise of the terrain there made it possible to use the slope for building and stairs.

In addition, the position, which adjoined the city wall and gate nr.4, permitted a direct connection of the theater with the village territory of the koinon, from which a large part of the spectators came. Thus they did not have to pass through the quarters of the city.