Curetes Street

 place with historical importance  Add category

In mythology, the Curetes were known as semi-deities. Later "Curetes" referred to a class of priests in Ephesus. Mary inscriptions about the Curetes were discovered in different locations in Ephesus, especially at the Prytaneion. First there were six of them, but later their number was increased to nine. The aim of this group was recreate the birth of Artemis Ephesia in Ortygia, near Ephesus. According to mythology, while Leto, impregnated by Zeus, was giving birth to the twins, Artemis and Apollo, Curetes made a lot of noise with their weapons so that Zeus's wife Hera who jealous of Leto, would be confused and not see the birth of the twins.

In the beginning, the Curetes were affiliated only with the Artemision, but during the Roman Empire they acquire a place in the Prytaneion also. They were chosen every year.

The street named after the Curetes stretches from the Heracles Gate to the Celcus Library and since it is located in the center of the city, there are monumental structures facing the street.