Ephesus - Pearl of Antiquity

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Ephesus

Ephesus, the most renowned of the ancient towns founded in the Ionian region in Western Anatolia, is located on the south of Izmir's Selcuk County. It is considered as one of the most important centers not only in Western Anatolian civilization but also in the history of word civilization. The ruins of Ephesus take on a value and a special significance among the innumerable sites of an archaeological interest: this is due to its inestimable artistic patrimony, its enormous heritage of history and culture, and the inexhaustible beauty and charm of its archaeological site.

The original site of Ephesus was most likely established on the Aegean coast, on the shores of that sea which today is located eight kilometres (5 miles) away from the archaeological excavations. Over the centuries, in fact the rubble brought onto the plain of the Küçük Menderes has enlarged the alluvial plain surrounding the archaelogical zone, leaving behind in actual fact the shores of the Aegean.

The foundation of Ephesus took place between the 16th and 11th centuries B.C., and this assertion is confirmed in part by sebsequent archaeological findings. Certainly its founders were if Greek ancestry. In the mean time, the Ionic colonization in Asia Minor progressed rapidly, and very soon the new Ionic cities united in the Ionic Confederacy.

Visits of personalities such as Brutus, Cassius, and Cicero gave testimony to the importance which Ephesus held in the Roman world. During the Hellenistic, Pergammonian and Roman era the importance of the town was sustained. It was the Roman era in which the city grew to become an important commercial center. It was also one of the first five cities of the Roman Empire. In 17 AD a disastrous earthquake brought down the city. The city was re-built later in 123 AD by Tiberius and Hadrian.

During the Christian era Ephesus became a magnificent metropolis of the ancient world such as Alexandria and Antioch. The city was also one of the seven churches of Asia. John the Apostle, is buried (in the church named after him) is also located near Ephesus. Virgin Mary is also believed to have spent her life after the Crucifixion near Ephesus. Both of these events make Ephesus one of the most important landmarks in the history of Christianity.
Virgin Mary was verified as the God's Mother by the council convened in the Mother of Mary Church in Ephesus in 453 AD.
The decline of the city began with the invasion of Goths in 262 AD by which the town was burnt down. Ephesus was never to reach its former splender again. Nevertheless in Justinian era (6th century A.D.), landmarks like the Basilica of St. John, was erected by the same Emperor. When Seljuks invaded the city in 1090 AD, Ephesus was far from its past glamour and prominence.

Ephesus which has been of great archaeological value has been first excavated in 1869 by an Englishman. Today excavations are continued by the Austrians and the Turks.

Celsus Library

This library was built between 117 and 120 AD for Julius Celcus Polemaneanus by his son as monumantal tomb. It was revealed by excavations in 1904 and restored between 1970 and 1978. It's facade was two-storeyed, and the interior consisted of a single and large hall. The statues in the niches of the facade symbolised the virtues of Celcus : wisdom (sophia), knowledge (episteme), destiny (ennoia) and virtue (arete).

The Theatre

The theatre was first built in the Hellenistic period (3rdury BC) during the reign of Lysimachos on the slope of Mount Pion, and was later enlarged. The theatre, in which wild animal fights and gladiator games were held in the 3rd and 4th centuries, is the largest theatre structure in Turkey and has a capacity of 24,000 spectators. The stage-building had three storeys including the ground floor. Only the ground floor has reached to the present and is well preserved. The secrion where the audience sat had a height of 38 meters (114 feet) and a diameter of 158 meters (474 feet).

The Temple Of Hadrian

It was built in the 2nd century AD, which was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian. In the front, two columns with Corinthian capitals and two piers also with Corinthian capitals supported a semi-circular pediment at the sides.

Marble Street

The street which runs between the Celcus Library and the Grand Theatre is called Marble Street. It was paved with blocks of marble in the 5th century and had heering-bone slopes and has reached to the presentin a well-preserved condition.

The Houses On The Slope

These houses are also known to have been the houses of rich persons. The houses are very plain from the outside but they had very decorative interiors. They are generally two-storeyed and the second floors were reserved for the bedrooms. The houses were built in the Augustus period and used until the 7th century AD. The houses were restored and can be visited.

The State Agora

It is assumed that the agora was built in the 1st century BC and took its last shape in the period of Augustus. The remains in the middle of the agora are the foundations of the temple of Isis. The group of statues called Polyphemus formed the pediment of the temple, and are now exhibited in the Museum of Ephesus. The state agora was used together with the buildings surrounding it as Ephesus's centre of administration.

Church of the Most Holly Virgin

The church (also known as the Council Church) is famed as the first church built for the Virgin Mary in Asia. The Ecumenical Council of 431 AD was held in this church where Virgin Mary was announced as the God's mother. During Justanian reign the church was altered and on the exact site a smaller but domed church was built.

The Fountain of Trajan

The fountain, named after the Emperor Trajan, located on the right side of Curetes Street was built in the second century AD. A full size statue of the Emperor stood in the middle of the fountain. Two statues of Dionysos of the imoerial family found during the excavations, are on display in the museum of Ephesus.

Curetes Street

The street stretches between Celcius Library and the Gate of Heracles which opens to Domitian Square. On both sides of the street stood statues of prominent persons which some of still standing in good condition. The paving and the columns on the sides of the street were last repaired in the 4th century AD.

The Gate of Heracles

Gate located at the beginning of Curetes Street was constructed with 2 tiers of columns, was named after 2 reliefs which showed Heracles draped in a lion skin.

The Basilica of St. John

The Church was founded in honor of St John who came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary. On the side of the basilica constructed in the 4th century, the present church was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian. Walls were built arround the church for protection against the Arab raids in the 7th century.

The Prytaneion

The Prytanion, built in the 3rd century BC, during the rule of Lysimacpos, is located down the slopes of the hills,up from the Basilica. It is comparable to todays town hall and has witnessed important events and gatherings of it's time.

Curetes

1) Vedius Gymnasium
2) Stadium
3) The Church of Virgin Mary
4-5) Harbour Gymnasium and Baths
6) Theatre Gymnasium
7) Arcadiane
8) Theatre
9) The Temple of Serapis
10) Commercial Agora
11) The Library of Celsus
12) The Streets of Curetes
13) Scolastica Baths
14) Houses on the Hill Side
15) The Temple of Hadrian
16) The Fountain of Trajan
17) Hyderium (Fountain)
18) The Temple of Domitian
19) State Agora
20) Prytaneion
21) Odeon
22) East Gymnasium
23) Basilica of St. John
24) Ephesus Museum
25) The Temple of Artemis
26) Isabey Mosque
27) Seven Sleeper's Cave

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