Water, the Source of Life!
Peace is a good thing. It creates stability, sustainable opportunities and vision. Upon the incorporation of Sagalassos into the Roman empire in 25 BCE, lasting peace was introduced into the historical region of Pisidia. One of the effects on Sagalassos was that it would grow as an urban centre. Various investments were made in its infrastructure and public architecture, but also its population would grow, possibly considerably. New neighbourhoods were created for these new inhabitants, amongst others on the sunny eastern slopes of the town. Of course, one of the essential elements to make living possible was the provision of potable water.
This end of 1st century BCE fountain house captured a natural water source, which, fortunately, is still active. The fountain in Doric style was mainly a functional building, where the inhabitants of the urban quarter could come and collect their daily supplies of water with water jugs. The purity of the water, its flow rate and the wings built over the basins protecting the water from heat and dirt maintained the quality of this crucial supply. Wear traces on the balustrades further indicate that the folk of Sagalassos used this fountain house as a wash house for their laundry.
In Late Antiquity, the courtyard and the basins of the fountain house were backfilled with dirt and the water diverted in terracotta pipes to unknown destinations in town. Afterwards parts of the monument collapsed.