The Fountain of Laecainus Bassus
(Hydrekdocheion)

On the southwest corner of the State Agora there are the remains of a fountain. According to an inscription on it the construction of this fountain was ordered by Gaius Laecanius Bassus in 80-82 AD. The facade of the fountain constructed by Bassus, one of the governor of Ephesus, was richly decorated, and consisted of two floors which faced the street. The statues of Tritons and Muses which were found at the fountain, are now on display at the Ephesus Museum. Because of the huge size of the fountain it has been called as the "Water Palace".

This fountain is connected to another fountain which is located opposite it to the west of the State Agora, and also at the same time it is connected to a storage cistern. The main section consists of a body in the form of a semicircle and was built in the 2nd century AD. The fountain building aligned with Domitian Lane and the terrace of the Temple of Domitian. The main basin was measuring 12.35 by 8.30 m, which served as a water reservoir.

The fountain underwent repairs in the reign of Constans and Constantius II (337-350) when the present wings were added. In inscriptions, this structure is referred to as the Nymphaion. It is the terminal point of the Aqueduct of Sextilius Pollio, built during the reign of Augustus between 7 -15 AD. The aqueduct was 3,5 kilometers long, and its remains may still be seen along the Selcuk-Aydin highway. There was a cistern in the upper part of the fountain, and the surroundings of the structure were decorated with statues of the Emperor.