Celsus Library, Ephesus

 

 

Ephesus Ἔφεσος Efes The roof of the Library of Celsus has collapsed, but its large façade is still intact.

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus Ephesus is located in Turkey Ephesus Shown within Turkey

LocationSelçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey

RegionIonia

Coordinates37°56′28″N 27°20′31″ECoordinates: 37°56′28″N 27°20′31″E

TypeSettlement

AreaWall circuit: 415 ha (1,030 acres)

Occupied: 224 ha (550 acres)

History

BuilderAttic and Ionian Greek colonists

Founded10th century BC

Abandoned15th century AD

PeriodsGreek Dark Ages to Late Middle Ages

Site notes

Excavation dates1863–1869, 1895

ArchaeologistsJohn Turtle Wood, Otto Benndorf

WebsiteEphesus Archaeological Site

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official nameEphesus

TypeCultural

Criteriaiii, iv, vi

Designated2015 (39th session)

Reference no.1018

RegionEurope and North America

Ephesus (/ˈɛfəsəs/;[1] Greek: Ἔφεσος Ephesos; Turkish: Efes; ultimately from Hittite Apasa) was an ancient Greek city[2][3] on the coast of Ionia, three kilometres southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of the former Arzawan capital[4][5] by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. During the Classical Greek era it was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League. The city flourished after it came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. According to estimates, Ephesus had a population of 33,600 to 56,000 people in the Roman period, making it the third largest city of Roman Asia Minor after Sardis and Alexandria Troas.[6]

 

The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In 268 AD, the Temple was destroyed or damaged in a raid by the Goths.[7] It may have been rebuilt or repaired but this is uncertain, as its later history is not clear.[8] Emperor Constantine the Great rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. Following the Edict of Thessalonica from Emperor Theodosius I, what remained of the temple was destroyed in 401 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom.[9] The town was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Küçükmenderes River.

 

Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation.[10] The Gospel of John may have been written here.[11] The city was the site of several 5th century Christian Councils (see Council of Ephesus). It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard. The ruins of Ephesus are a favourite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from Adnan Menderes Airport.

Done