Due to its location, Ephesus developed as the most important political and commercial center of the age and became the capital of the province of Asia in the Roman Period.
The Ancient City of Ephesus is an exquisite city located within the borders of the Selçuk district of İzmir. Excavations in the ancient city of Ephesus have been going on for more than 100 years. Celsus Library, Hillside Houses, Ancient Theater, and Kings Road are the most attractive structures of Ephesus, each of which is a magnificent architectural masterpiece.
The history of the city, which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage, dates back to 9000 BC. It is the first city in history to be made entirely of marble. Even this is an indication that it was the most modern city of the period during the settlement period. Being a port city in its time, it made rapid progress in trade, culture, and art. Ephesus, which became one of the wealthiest cities of the period, still maintains its popularity today. Magnificent temples, the region's largest library, and philosophy school were also established in this city.
The First Establishment Period of Ephesus
It is rumored that Ephesus was founded by female warriors, who were known as amazon in history, and even that its name came from Apasas, a city of the Kingdom of Arzawa (City of the Mother Goddess). Although there is no clear information about this period, it is thought that the local people lived in this region for many years.
Second Establishment Period of Ephesus - Prophecy
In 1000 BC, Androkios, son of the Athenian king Kodros, sailed to the Aegean with his friends with the desire to establish a new city. After passing the lush shores and the islands lined up one after the other, they come to a beautiful cove. There are islets, hills, and pretty valleys here.
Behind them is a river flowing by irrigating large lands. This river is the Küçük Menderes River. Androkios and his friends want to establish a new city here, but according to the belief, for a place to be a city, it is necessary to get the approval of the gods and priests.
Androkios sends a friend to the holy temple in Delphi. The oracles prophesy for this new city to be established as "The fish will jump, the pig will run away and you will establish a city with a bright future". One day, while Androkios and his friends were frying the fish they caught in the bay, the oil in the pan exploded, the fish splashed, and the fire splattered with the fish ignited the surrounding bushes. The pig hiding in the bushes starts to run away. Androkios chases after the pig and kills it, and the legend comes true. Thus, the foundations of Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the east and west for centuries, were laid.
With the emergence of Christianity, the city first became a religious center after St. Paul, one of the important names of the Bible, was here for a while and gave sermons, and later on, with the arrival of St. John and the Virgin Mary. Ephesus, which has lived its golden age since this date, hosted different empires after a while. Finally, it was conquered by the Turks in 1304.
Although there was prosperity for 98 years in Ephesus, which was built by the Turkish principalities as of 1304, it was exposed to Mongol attacks in 1402 and suffered great destruction. In 1425, the city was conquered by the Ottomans.
Are you ready to meet Ephesus, the Trade Center of the World?
Ephesus has been the living space of people starting from the Hellenistic period, including the Roman, Byzantine, Principalities, and later the Ottoman period. While Anatolia is located on important trade routes, Ephesus is also an important trade center. The ancient city of Ephesus was accepted as the trade center of the world for a long time and was visited by millions of people every year.
The history of Ephesus Ancient City dates back to BC. It dates back to 7000 years. This city, which plays an important role in the fields of science, art, and culture as well as trade, has left magnificent works today. You can witness history by including this city, which is one of the magnificent gates between East and West, into your travel route without thinking.
However, the importance of Ephesus in ancient times is not only due to its development as a great trade center and it is being a capital city. The largest temple of the Artemis cult, based on the ancient Mother Goddess (Kybele) tradition of Anatolia, is also located in Ephesus.
The Temple of Artemis is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Since it has been displaced many times throughout history, its ruins spread over a large area of 8km2.
