We may have heard the name of the famous Greek philosopher Heraclitus. He was born in Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. This article will talk about the ancient city of Ephesus.
The history of Ephesus dates back to the Chalcolithic period in 6000 BC. An ancient settlement has been discovered by digging in the Ayasuluk Hills. Therefore, ancient Ephesus is believed to have been originally located on Ayasuluk Hill. It was the settlement of the first Anatolian tribe, as Hittite cuneiform tablets mention the name ‘Apasus’, meaning ‘bee’.
According to another legend, a tribe of female warriors called the ‘Amazons’ founded Ephesus, the city being named after their queen Ephesia. Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and captured Ephesus.
Most of the ruins of Ephesus today include the amphitheatre, the library of Celsus, and the aqueducts, built or rebuilt during the reign of Augustus.
Ephesus flourished as a port during the reign of Tiberius. By 43 BC the site had become the center of trade and commerce in the region. A large number of goods were served by caravans traveling on the port and the ancient Royal Road. According to some sources, Ephesus was second only to Rome as a center of culture and commerce at the time.
After Constantinople in the 5th and 6th centuries, Ephesus was the most important city of the Byzantine Empire in Asia. The Seljuk Turks conquered Ephesus in 1090, but the Byzantines regained control of the city around 1100.
The story of the seven sleeping cavemen is popular among Muslims and Christians. This incident is mentioned in Surah Qahaf of the Holy Quran. The impressive amphitheater with a capacity of 25,000 spectators is believed to be the largest in the ancient world.
Although it was used for theatrical performances, there is evidence that it was also used for gladiator fights. Besides, the Odeon Theater was also one of the greatest architectural marvels of ancient Athens.