Historians have no exact knowledge of when Ephesus was originally founded, but the belief is there were inhabitants as early as 3,000 B.C. The site most likely originated along the Aegean coast, which is now around 8 km away from the ruins. To this day, it is thought of as one of the greatest outdoor museums in history.
Ephesus is intriguing for many reasons:
- The first church dedicated to The Virgin Mary is in Ephesus and Mary was known to have lived out her last years in a home near the city
- The Apostle St. Paul was known to have preached in Ephesus for at least two years (Acts 19:8-10)
- One of the Seven Churches of Revelation was in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)
- The Temple of Artemis is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Ephesus is thought to be the best preserved ancient city in Turkey and one of the best preserved ancient cities in all the world
Roman Ruled Ephesus
The city was originally dedicated to the goddess Artemis and her Temple has been rebuilt several times, the latest dating to the third century B.C. A rich and varied history is attached to this well preserved snapshot of ancient life including a Greco-Roman period. While under Roman rule, there were as many as 250,000 inhabitants and discoveries dating to this time include a statue of Julius Caesar and a very large head determined to be that of Antony.
The Library of Celsius is still impressive with its two stories and eight massive columns. Another marvel is the semi-circular theatre where St. Paul was to have preached with seating for 25,000. Walking in the footsteps of history along Arcadian Way, it is easy to envision Antony and Cleopatra making their leisurely way alongside you.
Touring Ephesus
One way to tour Ephesus on your own time table is by hiring a priavate taxi from the town of Kusadasi, which is roughly 19 km away. Negotiate a price with the driver that includes dropping you off directly in front of the ruins and waiting for you at the end of the tour to drive you back to town. You can purchase an audio self-tour at the entrance and explore at your own pace.
For the less independent traveler or those prefering a guided tour, you might look to ephesus tours for a variety of packages available, some including such amenities as lunch and a private tour guide.
No matter your travel style, when visiting the Greek Isles or traveling around the Aegean Sea, a visit to ancient Ephesus is well worth a side trip.
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