We actually started in Kusadasi, Turkey, on the Aegean coast. Our tour destination was Ephesus, an ancient Greek city, turned Roman, turned Turkish...When Roman, it was one the next largest city to Rome. In the first Century BC, it had a population of approximately 250,000 and was the second largest city in the world.
It is surmised that the Book of John in the Bible was written here and is known to be the site of a large
gladiator graveyard.
When we got off the buses and entered the site, our first shopping opportunity was probably my favorite!!!
This is what I call honesty in advertising!!!
What is particularly amazing about this archeological find, is that it was completely buried at the base of a mountain until British engineer J.T.Wood began archeological excavations in the late 1800's.
The Curetes Street is one of the main streets in ancient Ephesus...we're walking on a street that was teeming with commerce and traffic around the first Century BC...yep, 2000 year old street...how many of our currently constructed highways will last that long???
The Hadrian Temple...
Check out the patterns in the walkway...
I think he likes his job!!!
Archaeological work in the Terrace Houses...
Very similar to our concept of condos...LARGE houses complete with indoor toilets, sewage lines, rudimentary heating and air conditioning systems, indoor pools...
AMAZING!!!
Much of the patterns in floors and walls have been restored...a fascinating process, but can't remember it well enough to describe...needless to say, it is absolutely incredible that they have been able to uncover these ruins in such incredible detail and good condition.
This is the Library...once able to house 12,000 scrolls and was the third largest library?
Also, if you look at the structure of the facade, you would believe that the library was two stories...in actuality, the interior was three stories!
Another interesting side story...the library was connected by underground tunnels to the brothel across the street...that way gentlemen could tell their wives that they were going to the library...go, then cross the street for a bit more active exploration...without lying!!!
The Gate of Mazeus and Mythridates...off to the side of the library.
The stadium...built in the Hellenistic Age...initially used for ceremonies and sports activities.
When it was under Roman control, the activities expanded to include gladiator and wild animal fights, as well as for the persecution of Christians.
And of course, they had to have the standard cheesy reenactment show!!!
*Some interesting facts about Ephesus:
*Slaves used to sit on the toilets for their owners to warm the seats...
*Just outside of Ephesus is where the Virgin Mary lived for her last years...
*Ephesus was the site of one of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation...
*The stadium in Ephesus could seat 24,000...
*Romans knew the true shape of the world as far back as the 1st Century AD...
*Ephesus was originally a seaport, but is now six miles from the sea...
* www.ephesusu.us/ephesus/did_you_know_ephesus.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus
