Ephesus

Quick Facts: Who was Ephesus?

Subject:

Ephesus

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Ancient Greek city in Anatolia, famed for the Temple of Artemis and its classical prosperity.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Ephesus ( EF-uh-suhs; Ancient Greek: Έφεσος) was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, in present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of Apasa, a city-state that was also the capital of Arzawa, by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. During the Classical Greek era, it was one of twelve cities that were members of the Ionian League. The city came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. The city was famous in its day for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), which has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Career & Major Achievements

Its many monumental buildings included the Library of Celsus and a theatre capable of holding 24,000 spectators. Ephesus was a recipient city of one of the Pauline epistles and one of the seven churches of Asia addressed in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written there, and it was the site of several 5th-century Christian Councils (Council of Ephesus). The city was destroyed by the Goths in 263. Although it was afterwards rebuilt, its importance as a port and commercial centre declined as the harbour was slowly silted up by the Küçükmenderes River.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 614, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake. Today, the ruins of Ephesus are a favourite international and local tourist attraction, being accessible from Adnan Menderes Airport and from the resort town Kuşadası. In 2015, the ruins were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Humans had begun inhabiting the area surrounding Ephesus by the Neolithic Age (about 6000 BC), as shown by evidence from excavations at the nearby höyük (artificial mounds known as tells) of Arvalya and Cukurici. Excavations in recent years have unearthed settlements from the early Bronze Age at Ayasuluk Hill.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2015: 2015 Milestone — In 2015, the ruins were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ephesus

True or False: “The primary reason Ephesus's importance as a port declined was due to natural geological processes affecting its harbor.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The silting up of the harbor by the Küçükmenderes River gradually diminished its commercial significance over time.

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