The Ruins of Ancient Ephesus; Selçuk, Turkey

The site of Ephesus had been occupied since ca. 6,000 BC. The ancient site viewed today was founded about c. 300 BC. Strategically located near near the Aegean Sea, Ephesus grew and prospered for over a thousand of years. At its peak, Ephesus supported a population of about 200,000, and served as the provincial capital of Roman Asia. Throughout its history, Ephesians experienced prominence and prosperity as an independent city-state, as well as part of great empires including the Persian Achaemenid Empire, the Hellenic (Greek) empires of Athens and Alexander the Great,  the Roman Empire, and Byzantine Empire.

The city's greatest asset and key to its wealth, the harbor, was also its weakness. While part of the Byzantine Empire, Ephesus's harbor began to fill with silt, making it increasingly difficult for mariners to navigate and trade. By the time the Seljuk Turks conquered the region in the early 14th century AD, Ephesus was reduced to a small village, its greatness mostly forgotten by remaining locals. Finally, Ephesus was completely abandoned during the 15th century.

Walking along Ephesus's main avenues, the cultural and architectural legacies of the Hellenes (Greeks), Romans, and Byzantines are clearly visible throughout the site. Walking among the ruins, one can imagine the city in its heyday, with thousands of people bustling among the grand temples, amphitheaters, markets, and apartment houses. Few places can boast the cultural, architectural, and religious legacies of so many great civilizations on display in such a small geographic era.

Hellenic (Greek) and Roman Era Ruins

The ruins of a colonnade along the Avenue of the Curates, which used to be a part of a much larger, roofed structure.

The Odeion, constructed c. 150 AD, which seated about 1,500 and was topped with a wooden roof.

I made a friend while walking along the corridors of the Odeion.

Sockets cut into the base of columns can be seen here. The round columns were fit into place and secured in the sockets. Stones for walls and ceilings also had these sockets.

The remains of one of the largest and most impressive temples in Ephesus.

Passing through the gate, the market section of the Avenue of the Curates can be seen. In its heyday, this avenue was lined with shops, where merchants sold goods from all over the Mediterranean world. Thousands of Ephesians walked along the avenue, haggling over goods or just moving about.

The remains of a fountain building, once a much larger, lavishly decorated structure along the Avenue of the Curates

The entrance of the public baths.

Inside the public bath house, a depressions where one of the baths was located is still visible.

A Corinthian capital, the most ornate form of capitals during ancient Greek and Roman times.

The public toilets. To the right, the toilets can be seen. I read that it was common in ancient Greek and Roman times for people to congregate together at public toilets, talk business or politics while taking care of nature's business.

Ancient Roman terrace apartments, located along the main market street in Ephesus. Elite members of Ephesian society enjoyed the finest luxuries available in the Roman era, including indoor thermal heated plumbing.

In this ancient terrace apartment, the decorative mosaic tile floors, marble columns, and wall paintings are remarkably well preserved.

One of several gates along the main routes in Ephesus.

The Library of Celsus, named after an imperial governor of Roman Asia, constructed in 125 AD. The library once stored approximately 12,000 scrolls. To the right is the Gate of Augustus, named after the first Roman emperor, which leads into another section of the city.

Walking in between the columns and the entrance of Celsus Library. The intricate detail of the chiseled artwork is clearly visible.

During Ephesus's heyday, orators, bands, actors, and gladiators entertained up to 24,000 spectators. Beyond the theater, Harbor Street can be seen, leading out to what used to the harbor. Everyday, hundreds of wagon carts full of goods moved along the road in and out of the central city, destined for markets in the city and throughout the Mediterranean world.

A walkway in the Theater, just right of the stage. I could not help but to wonder if this was the same passageway that ancient actors and gladiators traversed.

Looking down Harbor Street, the road that was vital to Ephesus's success and prestige. Over time, the harbor at the end of the street silted up in spite of efforts to prevent it. Over time, Ephesus was completely abandoned.

The scant remains of the Temple of Artemis, constructed in 323 BC, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. Although little remains today, the Temple of Artemis was one of the largest and beautifully decorated Hellenistic temples constructed in the ancient Mediterranean. The temple survived almost 600 years, until its destruction in warfare in 268 AD. The ruins of the temple were not rediscovered until 1869.

The only column to be reconstructed from fragments of the original temple columns. The temple had over 127 of these columns, over 60ft high.

The Late Roman and Byzantine Era

The ruined alter of the Church of Mary, which hosted the Third Ecumenical Council, comprising 250 Bishops in 431, and the Second Council of Ephesus in 449. Both councils had lasting implications for Christian liturgy and belief.

The baptismal bath in the Church of Mary.

Cave of the Seven Sleepers. According to local legend, a group of seven Christians who lived in Ephesus during the Roman era were persecuted for their religious beliefs. Seeking refuge from Roman authorities, the seven went to a nearby cave, and fell asleep for centuries. When they awoke, they ventured into Ephesus, after the Roman Empire underwent its transition from a pagan society to a fully Christian one. They were astonished and overjoyed to see all the churches and crosses in the city.

The gate leading to the Basilica of St. John, constructed in the 6th century by Byzantine emperor, Justinian I.

The Basilica of St. John was designed with a floor plan shaped like a crucifix. The floor plan runs from where this image was taken, to the alter in the background. Brick and stone were used the primary building materials, with columns of marble. Above, the basilica once supported several large domes.

Tomb of John the Apostle, inside the ruins the Basilica of St. John.

The baptismal bath.

Remains of a decorative stone wall or ceiling tile. At the top, what remains of the circle appears to have the Byzantine imperial seal carved into it.

The Byzantine-era fortress overlooking Ephesus, built in the 5th century. Unfortunately, the fortress is currently closed to tourists.

The Post-Byzantine Era

An early Ottoman bath house.

The Isa Bey Mosque, constructed between 1374 and 1375. The mosque features Greek and Roman architectural elements, as well as materials taken from ancient Ephesus. The mosque was heavily damaged by two earthquakes since its construction. Today, the mosque is still used as a place of worship, and is the oldest active mosque in Turkey.

Stone slabs salvaged from the earthquakes. Each had elaborate Koranic verses in Arabic script.