I am always fascinated by ancient cities and Ephesus does not disappoint. Just imagine all the thousands of people who walked its streets every day.
How their lives must have been, how they made a living, how they cared for their families, surrounded by these magnificent architecture.
In the first article of this series I covered some of the rich historical background of this ancient city and in the second article of the series we started the tour through the site.
In this article we’re going to finish the tour and see some nearby sites as well.
But first, let’s go back to the map again, so that we know where we are:
Download this map in high resolution PDF.
And let’s see that reconstruction map once again:
Last time we were left at the Temple of Hadrian. Next…
Trajan’s Fountain
One of the most beautiful monuments in Ephesos, this fountain was built around 140 AD and dedicated to Roman Emperor Trajan.
There was a statue of Trajan in the middle of the niche in the façade, of which only a foot remains.
Statues of Dionysus, satyrs, Aphrodite and his family decorated the niches and there was a pool in front of the façade.
Curetes Street
The Curetes Street runs from the Library of Celsus to the Hercules Gate and was one of the main three streets in the city.
Along it there were shops, temples and monuments that were part of Ephesians daily lives.
“The Curetes” are the priests that ruled the city at one point and the list of their names is written in the Prytaneion.
Hercules Gate
Called after the Hercules relief on the left column, you can tell it’s Hercules because of the lion skin the figure is holding.
Only these two columns remain of the original gate, but it is believed that the Flying Nike (which can be seen further on) was part of it.
Memmius Monument
The Memmius Monument was built during the reign of Augustus by Memmius, the grandson of Dictator Sulla.
It is located on the north side of Domitian Square and on the right side there are relief statues of Sulla and Memmius’ father.
The monument commemorates the Sulla’s conquer of Mithridates of the Pontic Empire, bringing security to the city.
Temple of Domitian
This structure was dedicated to Emperor Domitian and had two stories. The stairs can still be seen today.
The temple had 8 columns on its short side and 13 on its long side, making it quite an impressive sight. You can see the Flying Nike relief nearby.
Fountain of Pollio
According to an inscription, the fountain was constructed by Sextilius Pollio in 97 A.D., a rich Ephesian and his family.
It was decorated with statues that are on display in the Ephesus Museum.
Prytaneion
The Prytaneion is a building used for religious ceremonies, banquets and official events.
In a small pit in the middle of the ceremonial hall, it housed a fire that represented the heart of the city.
Odeon
The Odeon is a small theater that follows the basic layout of the Theater with the difference that the Odeon was roofed.
It was built in 150 AD by Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Papiana and could seat 1.500 people and in the best Greek style, it took advantage of the hill behind it.
The Odeon was used for poetry reading, concerts and ceremonies and during Greek times it was crucial in the Artemis festivities.
The Odeon may have also been used as a place of gathering for the Bouleia, the city council.
State Agora
This agora was a place for business. It served as meeting place for government discussions.
There was a small water reservoir in one corner, fed by the Pollio Aqueduct.
Temple of Isis
This temple was located in the middle of the State Agora and was dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Isis, due to the large population of Egyptians in Ephesos and the city’s connections with Alexandria.
During the time of Augustus the temple was destroyed because the Emperor despised any relation to Cleopatra en Egypt.
Baths of Varius
A bath complex with its usual structures of frigidarium (cold), tepidarium (warm) and caldarium (hot) rooms, they had large public toilets to the south.
They were built in the 2nd century AD, probably by Vedia Faedrina, daughter of Vedius Antonius who was a wealthy citizen.
And walking past the baths, towards the parking lot, concludes the visit.
Let’s take a look now at some of the nearby sites, but for that I’m going to use a different map, that gives us more detail.
Temple of Artemis
Or Artemision, known to Romans as the Temple of Diana, the Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The temple was destroyed three times before its final destruction in 401 AD.
Only the foundations of the temple can be seen today and some of its most beautiful works of art can be seen at the British Museum in London.
There is archaeological evidence that suggests that the sacred site was there during the Bronze Age and it may have been built during the 8th century BC.
Ephesians revered a different cult image of Artemis, than that of Greece.
Artemis Ephesia or the Lady of Ephesos is an enigmatic statue with numerous protuberances that have been interpreted as breasts or bulls testicles, in both cases representing fertility.
I couldn’t find out for sure if the Lady of Ephesus at the Ephesos Museum comes from the Artemision itself.
Basilica of St.John
This church is believed to be built over the tomb of John the Apostle which was enclosed by a small church during the 4th century AD.
The ruins we see today are from the big church Emperor Justinian I had built on the site during the 6th century AD.
The tomb of Saint John made this church one of the main pilgrimage sites in the Middle Ages.
But after the decline of the city, the church lost its importance as well. It is located 2 miles from Ephesos’ main site.
House of the Virgin Mary
This austere and small building is located 4.3 miles away from Selçuk and is believed to be the place where Virgin Mary spent her last days, brought to this ancient city by John the Apostle by Jesus’ request.
It was identified based on the visions by a nun called Anne Catherine Emmerich in 1812.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the building is from the 6th or 7th century, though its foundations are from the 1st century AD.
In the form of a T, the house consists of a bedroom on the right and a kitchen on the left.
The central space is decorated with a small altar and a statue of Mary and mass is celebrated there every day.
Well, there you have it! Quite an amazing journey, huh?
What is your impression of Ephesos after reading all three articles?
Did you know there was so much to see in this part of Turkey?
Let me know in the comments field and join the conversation on Facebook!
Resources
First article of the series.
Second article of the series.
Ephesus in Sacred Destinations.
Nejdet Düzen’s photos in Flickr.
www.ephesus.ws
www.ephesus.us
welcometohosanna.com
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