Ephesus, Turkey

Ephesus is about 20 miles from Kusadasi, Turkey.  Ephesus is the largest and best preserved ancient city in the world.  The contrast is not just the size but the headway they have made in discovery. 

Ephesus was some 2000 years ago a port.  As time passed the rivers washed soil towards the sea filling in the delta.  Today the site is 8 - 10 miles from the sea.  Once the going and coming was no longer possible by boat, the city closed down to trade as Kusadasi became the site of choice.  Disease may have played an important part too.   Raids from the Persians and others soon dismantled the structures. 

Under the surface all stone objects are recoverable.  It may take a few more centuries to fully excavate the ruins.  The population was 500,000!

This is our first view as we entered the Ephesus. 

A few hundred yards and we came upon The Odeon Theater.  Seating 1,500.

All the columns were drilled and a metal bar inserted so the next piece would be stable.

Finding objects and assembling them is a tremendous task.

Wonder where the other piece is?

In process

Look at the length and width of the walk!

Goddess Jane

King Richard

Talk about losing your head!

Altar of some sort

Merchant- maybe clothing or pottery or better yet, wine?

Mosaic floor

See the 4ft. of rubble on top of the structure.  That is what covers the hillside.

This honors Artemis the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon and twin sister of Apollo. 

All the columns and beams were decorated with carvings

Most often wood was used for roofs.

The KEY stone (one in the center) is the most important -- how did they get them up there?

This depicts the meandering stream.  Often filled with little treasures.

Potty time?  Have your slave sit on the marble first to warm the marble!

Rather short legged folks!

Celsus Library

They had two separate walls to prevent moisture gathering on documents.

Will and Jane standing where life existed over 2000 years ago.

Goddess Diane and her beau

Can you imagine the length of the walk with merchants selling food, clothes, pottery etc

West wing of the library

There are so many hillsides to explore.  The city is immense!

Did they love columns or what!  Another street just being excavated.

And here is another street!

Inside the Grand Theater

24,000 could be seated here.

A distant view of the Grand Theater.  St. Paul once preached here.

Burial grounds -- not one thing was found inside the tombs, raiders must have taken everything.

Look at the excavation challenge! 

Click for more of the same & Turkish dancers -- Ephesus Museum

Our expectations were far exceeded!  This was the most awesome stop of the trip!

Next Stop --> St. John Basilica