Ephesus - Turkey

Ephesus was a city in ancient Greece; it was a special city because it was the most important trading centre between Asia and the Mediterranean at the time (end of the Silk Road) and because it is so well preserved. 

It had many civilizations living there over the centuries including Greeks, Persians, Romans and Christians. During the Roman period Artemis was the city's Goddess and they showed their value to her by building many sculptures of the goddess. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and the twin of Apollo, she is the goddess of wilderness, the hunt, wild animals and fertility. A great temple was built in her honour but not much of it remains today. 

Only fifteen percent of Ephesus has been excavated, the most amazing finds so far have been the library of celsus and the great theatre which would have been able to hold 14,000 people. Archaeologists could determine the population of a town by looking at the size of their amphitheatre, because Ephesus’ amphitheatre could hold around 24,000 people that would mean that the population of Ephesus was around a quarter of a million. Which makes Ephesus the second largest city in the world during the roman empire. 

Behind the Theater there is a doorway which worked as an entrance for the performers or the Gladiators during the Roman period. 

Saint Paul (One of Jesus's disciples) tried to spread the word of Jesus and encouraged the praising of just one true God. 

But the people protested this because part of the wealth in Ephesus had come from the Statues of god and goddesses that goldsmiths and silversmiths made and traded. 

Saint Paul's message would put them out of business, so he was forced out of the city. 

Saint John (Another one of Jesus’s Disciples) came to Ephesus with Mary (Jesus’s Mother) it is believed that Mary lived in Ephesus until her death. 

I Really enjoyed going to Ephesus because there was so much there unlike many of the other ruins we have seen before. You could get a good idea of how people's lives would’ve been, on the streets and walls there are still so many amazing and colourful mosaics! 

We also went inside the terest houses which show how the very wealthy would have lived, inside there are grand rooms with columns that would have held up the central courtyard. The walls featured drawings of Gladiators, characters and animals. These people would have had their own piped water sauce while the rest of the community would have gone to public baths. 

Coming to Ephesus was a great experience and we all learnt so many new and interesting facts. I hope that you enjoyed reading about it.