 |
| Ephesus was once the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor |
The ruins of the ancient port city of Ephesus lie near the modern village of Selƈuk in western Turkey.
The remains of an enormous amphitheater, the Library of Celsus, the public square (agora) and the aqueducts, give a glimpse into the life of the wealthy and educated citizens of Ephesus, long ago.
Built in the 10th century BCE by Greek colonists, during the Classical Greek era, the city came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BCE and became the second most important city of the Roman Empire.
In 356 B.C., a man named Herostratus burned down the Temple of Artemis. But the Ephesians rebuilt the temple and made it bigger and it became known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Only one column remains of the temple today.
Later, about 60AD, Paul the Apostle wrote a letter to the Ephesians. This is the tenth book of the New Testament. In about 53 AD, Paul wrote his “First letter to the Corinthians” and St John is said to have written his Gospel, here.
In AD 431 the Council of Ephesus of Christian bishops was convened in Ephesus by the Roman Emperor Theodosius II.
In 263, the city of Ephesus was destroyed by the Goths.
Places To See
The first agora (public square) was built in the 6th century BCE in Hellenistic style. This agora was found buried approximately 2 meters below the present agora.
 |
The Commercial Agora at Ephesus was surrounded by colonnaded porticoes
|
The grandeur of the ancient city is apparent in the facade of the Library of Celsus, which had been reconstructed from
original remains. The library was built in memory of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, who is buried in a sarcophagus beneath.
 |
| The grandeur of the ancient city is apparent in the facade of the Library of Celsus, at Ephesus |
The theatre, which had a capacity of 25.000, was used for dramatic performances but later evidence shows gladiatorial fights occurred.
 |
The Great Theatre is located in the ancient city of Ephesus, which is situated in the city of Selcuk in modern-day Turkey, is well-preserved
|
With its Corinthian-style pillars, the (small) Odeon
Theatre was built around 150 AD by Publius Vedius Antoninus and his wife.
The Temple of Hadrian was built before 138 AD by P. Quintilius.
 |
the Temple of Hadrian, stands in front of the Scholastica Baths, facing the Curetes Street, Ephesus, Turkey
|
The Temple of the Sebastoi was dedicated under the reign of Emperor Domitian CE 89/90 but later re-dedicated to Vespasian, Domitian’s father.
 |
| The Temple of the Sebastoi in Ephesus, formerly called the Temple of Domitian, is a Roman temple dedicated to the Imperial cult of the Flavian dynasty, Ephesus, Turkey |
Several aqueducts, supplied water to Ephesus.
The Scholastica Baths, built in 1st century CE, has latrines (toilets) constructed over a flowing channel of water and toilet seats, formed by cutting holes into
marble benches that line the walls.
 |
The Scholastica Baths, Ephesus, Turkey
|
The Basilica of St. John was built in the 6th Century AD by Emperor Justinian I.
 |
| The ruins of the Basilica of St. John, Ephesus, Turkey |
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is 80 km inland from the seaside city of İzmir and
close to the towns of Selcuk and Sirince, Turkey.
