EPHESUS

Discover Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best preserved ancient cities in the world. Wander down marble-paved streets lined by slender columns. Explore the Temple of Hadrian, the Baths, the Library of Celsus and the city brothels! The heights of the spectacular Ephesus Theatre, where 25,000 citizens would gather to watch gladiators, offer superb views across the magnificent main street

Ancient Ionian Greek city; its ruins lie near the modern village of Selcuk in Turkey. It was situated south of the Cayster River, and was the site of the Temple of Artemis. Traditionally founded by the Carians, it was one of the 12 Ionian Cities and was involved in the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. It was taken by Alexander the Great c.334 BC and prospered throughout the Hellenistic period. It passed to Rome in 133 BC; under Augustus it became the capital of the Roman province of Asia. It was an early seat of Christianity, visited by St. Paul, and the recipient of the Epistle to the Ephesians. The Goths destroyed the city and temple in AD 262; neither ever recovered. There are extensively excavated ruins at the modern site.

Building was begun in the reign of the Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41-54) and completed in the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98-117 A.D.). The theatre could seat 24,000 people but most of the seats have been removed and used in the construction of later buildings. A wide arcaded staircase led up to a columned gallery around the top of the theatre. Thirty meters above from the orchestra.

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