History in Ephesus

According to legendary narratives, Ephesus (Efes) was founded by the female warriors known as Amazons, and it is believed that its name comes from the Hittite sources' city of Apaša (Apasas), meaning the city of the Great Mother Goddess. Archaeological findings have shown that settlements in the Ephesus area date back to the Neolithic Age (6000 BC). In the 10th century BC, the foundation of the city was laid by Greek colonists of Attic-Ionian descent, replacing the people of the Arzawa Kingdom who lived in the region. In the Classical Age, Ephesus was one of Ionia's twelve cities and became one of the richest cities in the Mediterranean during the Lydian kings' reign. The Temple of Artemis (Artemision), built during this period, became famous as one of the world's Seven Wonders. The foundation of the temple dates back to the 7th century BC, and it was completed as a magnificent marble structure around 550 BC with the support of the Lydian King Croesus (Kroisos).

After the period under Persian Empire's rule, Ephesus was liberated from the Persians by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. One of Alexander's successors, Lysimachos, relocated the city around 2.5 km southwest to its current visited location due to its unhealthy swampy conditions, rebuilding it in the early 3rd century BC. The new Ephesus quickly became one of the Mediterranean's most important trade ports. The city was again referred to as "Ephesus" in 281 BC. In 129 BC, Ephesus came under the control of the Roman Republic following the will of the King of Pergamon and was included in the Province of Asia. Although it experienced some upheavals during the Hellenistic and late Republic periods (e.g., the massacre of Asian Roman citizens by Mithridates in 88 BC and Rome's subsequent revenge), the city regained peace under the Roman Empire.

The imposing facade of the Library of Celsus, built in the 2nd century AD in Ephesus Ancient City. During the Roman Empire, Ephesus lived its most splendid days. Especially in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the city went through a sort of golden age; during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, it was made the capital of the Province of Asia, and its population exceeded 200,000, becoming one of the largest metropolises of its time. During this period of prosperity, Ephesus was filled with monumental structures adorned with marble: its grand theater (with a capacity of ~25,000, the largest ancient theater in Anatolia), magnificent temples, and famous structures like the Library of Celsus.

Ephesus was positioned as a bridge between the Eastern and Western worlds, making it one of the most vibrant centers of trade, culture, and intellectual life during the Roman era. The famous orator Aelius Aristides described Ephesus as the “foremost trading center of Asia” and praised it as an Illuminated intellectual center (for example, the second largest school of philosophy in the Aegean was here). The Temple of Artemis served not only as a religious sanctuary but also functioned as a financial institution of its time: the temple acted as the “general bank of Asia” and provided shelter to those in need of credit. Roman emperors gave special attention to this beautiful city, with some even visiting Ephesus and staying for a while, contributing to its urban development. Aristides, who lived in the mid-2nd century, eloquently highlighted the cosmopolitan structure and prosperity of Ephesus:

“All peoples dwelling between the Pillars of Heracles (Gibraltar) and the Phasis River (in eastern Black Sea) know Ephesus due to the international character of its means of transportation and its complete accommodation facilities. Everyone goes there as if it were their own homeland; it is the general bank of Asia and a sanctuary for those in need of credit.”

Ephesus also played a significant role in the spread of Christianity. In the 1st century AD, Apostle Paul (Saint Paul) came to the city and preached there for about three years, organizing the first congregations of the new faith. It is also said that Apostle John (Saint John) settled in Ephesus with the Virgin Mary and was buried on Ayasuluk Hill at the end of his life. The Church of Ephesus was one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. After Christianity became the official religion of Rome, paganism declined, and the Third Ecumenical Council (First Council of Ephesus) held in 431 became a significant gathering taking important decisions for the Christian world. During this period, the Artemis cult and other pagan beliefs gradually ended; the great temples were abandoned and replaced by churches.

From the 3rd century AD onwards, Ephesus's significance began to wane. The Goths invaded and destroyed the city in 263. Although the city was rebuilt, the alluvium brought by the Küçük Menderes River gradually filled the harbor, leaving Ephesus kilometers inland from the sea, losing its commercial advantage. Although attempts to clean the harbor were made during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, they were unsuccessful. The great earthquake of 614 also caused severe damage to the city, further reducing its remaining importance. With the Arab raids of the 7th century striking coastal cities, the people of Ephesus began moving to the more secure Ayasuluk Hill area (the initial site of the city). During the Byzantine period, the city center completely shifted to the Ayasuluk area, and the name Ephesus was forgotten, with this new settlement being called Ayasuluk. In the early 1300s, the region was conquered by the Turks (Aydinid Principality). In the late Middle Ages, Ayasuluk continued for a time as the capital of the Aydinids and an important port city. However, by the time of the Ottoman period, the harbor was entirely silted up, and malaria outbreaks caused the population to rapidly decline; by the 17th century, Ayasuluk was nothing more than a dilapidated village. Over time, it was deserted and the region became a quiet ruin. Today, the area where ancient Ephesus was located is home to the Selçuk district at the foot of Ayasuluk Hill.

The ruins of Ephesus have attracted travelers for centuries, and scientific investigations began in the 19th century. During the first excavations led by John T. Wood from the British Museum between 1863–69, the foundations of the Temple of Artemis were uncovered. In the following years, many teams, notably the Austrian Archaeological Institute, have brought to light the ancient structures of Ephesus. In 2015, the Ephesus Ruins were accepted into the UNESCO World Heritage list. As of 2024, it hosted over 2.6 million visitors, gaining the title of Turkey’s most visited open-air museum. The Ancient City of Ephesus today remains a unique treasure of history, reflecting the glory of the past in the eyes of both the archaeological world and travelers.

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