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Grassy mounds surrounding the ancient city of
Ephesus, Turkey, conceal the remains of a Neolithic settlement
dating from 6000 B.C. Excavations have revealed tools of stone,
obsidian and bronze among walls of sun-dried brick. The early
settlers survived by hunting for birds and animals, as well as
fishing in the nearby Aegean Sea.
During the early Bronze Age (1500 - 1400 B.C.), Mycenaean Greeks
migrated to the area, founding the settlement of Apasa on the
Ayasuluk Hill. Mycenaean pottery has been discovered in burial
mounds here dating from this time.
The fall of Mycenaean culture (around 1100 B.C.) marked the
beginning of the Dark Age, when much of Mediterranean civilization
collapsed and the great Mycenaean palaces were abandoned or
destroyed. According to myth, the Athenian hero Androclus was
directed by the Oracle at Delphi to found the city of Ephesus near
the site of Apasa. He drove away the natives and united his people
with the Ionian Greeks living nearby. |
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Ephesus emerged as one of the largest and most
important cities of the ancient world. Located on the west coast of
Anatolia (modern Turkey), it was a major center for trade, rivaled
in size only by the cities of Rome and Alexandria. Eventually, the
city was subjected to Roman rule and later played a central role in
early Christianity.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city declined during the
Byzantine era. Due to the constant silting of the harbor, Ephesus
lost importance as a port of trade. It was eventually conquered by
the Turks, and by the 15th century A.D., the city was abandoned and
fell into ruin.
At the height of its glory, Ephesus was an important cultural and
religious center. Perhaps the most famous temple of Ephesus was the
cult center for worship of Artemis (Diana). Pilgrims flocked to her
temple to pray for her favor, and the many-breasted statue erected
in her temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The city was also home to the Great Theater, used by the Romans for
gladiatorial games. Visitors and citizens alike could relax in the
luxurious public baths, fed by one of the most sophisticated
aqueduct systems in the world.
In A.D. 125, Gaius Julius Aquila built the Library of Celsus to
honor his father. This impressive structure once held an estimated
12,000 scrolls. The building has been reconstructed as a magnificent
example of Roman architecture and is an important landmark of
Ephesus history.
Sightseers following a map of the city will stroll along the famous
Marble Road, part of the sacred way which leads to the Temple of
Artemis. Other important structures include the Odeon (a small,
covered theater), the Temple of Hadrian, the agoras (public areas)
and the Tomb of Pollio.
The House of the Virgin Mary is said to have been the last home of
Mary, Mother of Jesus. She is believed to have spent her last days
in Ephesus in the company of St. John and his followers. According
to the New Testament, St. John spent a number of years preaching
here; Saint John's Basilica is located on what is believed to be his
final resting place.
Main Sights
The site is large. In fact, Ephesus contains the largest
collection of Roman ruins East of the Mediterranean. Only an
estimated 15% has been excavated. The ruins that are visible give
some idea of the city's original splendour, and the names associated
with the ruins are evocative of its former life. The theater
dominates the view down Harbour Street which leads to the long
silted-up harbor.
The Odeon - a small roofed theatre constructed by Vedius
Antonius and his wife in around 150 A.D. It was a small salon for
plays and concerts, seating about 1,500 people. There were 22 stairs
in the theater. The upper part of the theatre was decorated with red
granite pillars in the Corinthian style. The entrances were at both
sides of the stage and reached by a few steps.
The Temple of Hadrian dates from the 2nd century but
underwent repairs in the 4th century and has been reerected from the
surviving architectural fragments. The reliefs in the upper sections
are casts, the originals being now exhibited in the Selçuk
Archaeological Museum. A number of figures are depicted in the
reliefs, including the emperor Theodisius I with his wife and eldest
son.
The Temple of Domitian was one of the largest temples on the
city. It was erected on a pseudodipteral plan with 8 x 13 columns.
The temple and its statue are some of the few remains connected with
Domitian.
The Theater - At an estimated 44,000 seating capacity, it is
believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world.
The Tomb/Fountain of Pollio - erected by a grateful city in
97 AD in honor of C. Sextilius Pollio, who constructed the Marnas
aqueduct, by Offilius Proculus. It has a concave facade.
There were two agoras, one for commercial and one for state
business.
Seven Sleepers
Ephesus is believed to be the city of the Seven Sleepers. The story
of the Seven Sleepers, who are considered saints by Catholics and
Muslims, tells that they were persecuted because of their belief in
God and that they slept in a cave near Ephesus for centuries
Ephesus is a tremendously popular tourist site. Located near the
town of Selcuk (about an hour's drive south of Izmir,Turkey), it is
easily accessible through the Adnan Menderes airport or the nearby
seaport of Kusadasi.
Bus tours and private tours of the ruins can be arranged from
Selcuk.
First-rate accommodations for travelers are offered at the Ephesus
Princess Hotel in Selcuk, located in the vicinity of the St. John
the Baptist Church. Bus transportation is available and provides
easy access for Ephesus tours.
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CITIES
