Ephesus in Turkey Worth a Visit

Roman Ruins Provide An Outdoor Museum Highly Ranked by Tourists

Oct 30, 2008

Visitors to Ephesus can expect an extensive excavation revealing all aspects of Roman government, social, and cultural life as well as the imprint of early Christianity.

Located in the middle of the western coast of Anatolia, Ephesus has been a tourist destination since ancient times when pilgrims flocked to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World. A thriving commercial center, Ephesus was one of four Roman cities with street lighting at night and boasted the third largest ancient library behind Pergamum and Alexandria. The ruins of Ephesus continue to attract tourists seeking an in-depth understanding of ancient life.

History of Roman Ephesus

Although the earliest settlements can be traced back to 3000 BCE, the "new" Ephesus was constructed between 300-400 BCE after silting forced a relocation of the community. At its height, 4-500,000 inhabitants lived in the community, one fifth holding Roman citizenship. Ephesus enjoyed substantial imperial support; Hadrian visited the city in 124 and 129 CE.

Ephesus grew into an important early Christian center beginning with St. Paul's visit. According to one tradition, Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life near the city. The House of Mary, a pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims, is a short bus ride from the ancient ruins. Ephesus was one of the seven churches addressed by St. John in The Apocalypse.

Touring the Ruins

Excavation of the city began in 1866 and is still an on-going process. Visitors begin the tour from the northern part of Ancient Ephesus, following the descending street toward the once prominent seaport. Significant stops include:

The Bouleuterion or Odeion is the smaller theater. Here the Ephesus city council met, 450 elected by the male citizens of the city. It was also used for concerts and other entertainments. Near the theater stand the ruins of the Latrina or public restrooms. The Latrina featured running water, incense burners to ward off odors, live music, and charged an entrance fee. During the winter months, the seats were kept warm by slaves while steam pipes heated the structure.

The primary Theater, a staple of every Roman city, seated 25,000 and went through several enlargements during the imperial period. It was dedicated to the Emperor Domitian in 79 CE in conjunction with the completion of the Temple of Domitian, the ruins of which can still be seen on the tour. St. Paul preached in the Theater during his second visit, provoking a riot by city artisans, an event detailed in the Acts of the Apostles.

The Temple of Artemis, the primary "draw" for ancient tourists, stands no more. Eight of its great columns were taken to Constantinople in the early Sixth Century by Emperor Justinian to be used in the reconstruction of Hagia Sophia. According to legend, the original temple was destroyed on the day Alexander the Great was born. Visiting the city during his later conquests, he offered to rebuild it but the Ephesians refused the offer, replying that it was not proper, "for one god to dedicate a temple to another."

Ancient Ephesus lies on the Aegean cruise circuit and is accessed by tour buses from Kusadasi. It is one of Turkey's most popular tourist destinations and rivals the many excavations throughout the Mediterranean Roman world, including Pompeii. The excavation site is vast and visitors should plan several hours to fully explore the many ruins.

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