Ephesus
Ancient City of Ephesus: Tracing History and Myths
The ruins of Ephesus, located just 18 km from Kuşadası, are considered one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and are a true historical treasure. This ancient city, built by Greek colonists from Attica and Ionia in the 10th century BCE, is filled with millennia of cultural and historical richness. Today, Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous especially for the nearby Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus also holds a significant place in Christian history, being one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, making it a sacred destination for Christian pilgrims.
The original settlement of ancient Ephesus was likely established approximately 8 km away from the current archaeological site, along the coast of the Aegean Sea. However, over the centuries, debris and sediment carried into the Küçük Menderes plain caused the city to shift inland, moving the coastline further away. During the Roman period, Ephesus became a major economic center thanks to its sea trade and harbors. At that time, the city expanded northward onto the slopes of Coressus and Pion hills and stretched south to the fertile plain formed by the alluvial deposits of the Kayster River. However, over time, the harbors began to silt up, and by the late Byzantine period, these channels became unusable. By the mid-20th century, the coastline had moved three miles further west.
Among the historical wealth of Ephesus are not only its architectural structures but also its mythological stories. The city is renowned for its connection to the Amazons in ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, Ephesus was founded by the Amazon queens, and this myth persisted in the city's cultural heritage for centuries. In the 5th century BCE, a competition was held among the most famous sculptors of the time to create an Amazon statue for the Temple of Artemis, and these statues became iconic symbols of the city. During antiquity, the town of Apasas, under the rule of the Ahhiyawa Kingdom, was known as Ephesus in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. Linguists believe that the name "Ephesus" is derived from "Apasas," and this name has been synonymous with the city for thousands of years.
One of the most striking structures in Ephesus is the Library of Celsus, regarded as one of the largest libraries of the Roman period. This magnificent structure housed around 12,000 manuscripts and served as a center of knowledge, art, and philosophy during its time. Additionally, the large theater and agoras contributed to Ephesus's rise as a hub of culture and commerce.
Today, the ancient city of Ephesus is not only one of Turkey's most prominent open-air museums but also one of the largest in the world. Every year, millions of tourists visit this unique ancient city, taking a journey through the depths of history. Ephesus is not merely an archaeological site; it is a crossroads of human history, cultures, and religions. Filled with both mythological tales and historical truths, this fascinating city continues to exist as a living legacy from the past to the present.