Ephesus Ancient City

Ephesus Ancient City

History of Ephesus

According to legend, the founder of Ephesus was Androklos, son of Kadros of Athens. Ephesus was built in the 10th century BC and was ruled by kings, later by a group of aristocrats and finally by dictators.

In Hellenistic times, the city was ruled by the Seleucids and the kingdom of Pergamum. King Attalus III of Pergamum granted his kingdom to the Romans, so Ephesus became part of the Roman Empire. Ephesus was heavily taxed by the Roman emperors. However, during the reign of Augustus, Ephesus enjoyed a golden age that lasted 200 years. (1st century AD - 3rd century AD)

The city lost its importance due to many factors. Disease, several major fires, an earthquake, and finally the river that brought sand and filled the bay, removing the city's access to water and closing the harbor.

Best Way To Visit Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus has two ticket gates. One that's closer to the Grand Theatre, the other nearby the Agora and Boulouterion. It is our suggestion that after visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, you should visit the city starting from the upper entrance (by the Agora) and walking down the hill, making your way out from the gate by the Grand Theatre. If you're driving yourself, the parking area by the Grand Theatre is more suitable so you'd unfortunately need to walk to the end and then back the same way. This is another reason why a guided tour is more suitable for Ephesus.

Don't Miss

Agora

The Agora was a market where vendors sold items to the locals. It used to be a meeting place for people. Sometimes in the center of the agora there was a small shrine dedicated to the local god/goddess. The walkways of the agora were often covered to protect people from the rain or the heat of the sun.

Odeion - Boulouterion

The Odeion was an opera house. It was used specifically for concerts that attracted smaller crowds. It had a capacity of 1500 people. Bouleuterion is the city's parliament. The "Boule", which consisted of aristocrats, influential people of the city, met here. They probably built a roof specifically for the parliament.

Prytaneion

The eternal/perpetual fire was kept here. The fire, much like a flag on a pole, represented the independence of the city. The Prytaneion also acted as the city hall. Political business was conducted here and other important ceremonies or receptions were held here.

Memmius Monument

Memmius was the grandson of the dictator Sulla, who saved the city from further violence against its Roman citizens by the king Mithridates, famous sworn enemy of Romans.

Polio Fountain

This fountain was built to honor Sextilius Pollio, the builder of the Marnas Aqueduct. The fountain had a collection of statues representing one of the episodes from the Odyssey of Odysseus and Polyphemus. The remains of these statues can be seen inside the Museum of Ephesus that's located in the town of Selçuk, nearby the ruins of Ephesus.

Temple of Domitian

This temple was built to honor Domitian (81-96). The temple itself was small, only 24 by 34 meters. The statue that stood in front of the temple was 7 meters high. What remains of the statue of Domitian can be seen inside the Museum of Ephesus that's located in the town of Selçuk, nearby the ruins of Ephesus.

Fountain of Trajan

A monumental fountain that featured a statue of Emperor Trajan posing as the victor and conqueror of the world. His feet planted on the globe representing the world.

Hadrian's Temple

A temple built to honor another Roman emperor, Hadrian (117-138). The reliefs on this building are beautiful and depict the history of the city.

Scholastic Baths

The Roman baths were an important building in the social life of Roman citizens. The existing bath building was renovated by a Christian lady named Scholastikia in the 5th century.

The Celsus Library

The Library of Celsus is the most attractive building in Ephesus. The library is 11 by 17 meters. You can see the two rows of niches inside. Originally, there were three rows of niches where scrolls and parchments were kept on shelves. The facade of the building is very ornate.

The library was built to honor Julius Celsus, an important citizen of Ephesus who was also the consul (governor). The books of the library are believed to have been lost in a fire.

The Grand Theatre

The construction of the theater began and the lower tiers were completed in Hellenistic times. The upper tiers were completed by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. The theater has a capacity of 24,000 people.

The Church of the Virgin Mary

The ancient building where the church is located is 30 meters wide and 260 meters long. It used to be a merchant building near the port, but was converted into a church by the local Christians. The third ecumenical council was held in this church in 431. They accepted the statement that Jesus, as he was born of the Virgin Mary, was born the son of God as a dogma in this church.

The Temple of Artemis

The Temple of Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Not much remains of the temple. The temple is away from the center of Ephesus and you may visit it after finishing your tour of the ancient city. No ticket is required for the Temple of Artemis.