Wonders of the Ancient World
The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus was a city in ancient Greece on the coast of Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of the former Arzawan capital by Greek colonists.
During the Classical Greek era, it was one of twelve cities that were members of the Ionian League. The city came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC.
The city was famous in its day for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), which has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its many monumental buildings included the Library of Celsus and a theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators.
Ephesus was also one of the seven churches of Asia cited in the Book of Revelation; the Gospel of John may have been written there; and it was the site of several 5th-century Christian Councils.
The city was destroyed by the Goths in 263. Although it was afterwards rebuilt, its importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Küçükmenderes River. In 614, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake.
In 2015, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(Canon PowerShot SD880 IS, 1/500 @ f/5.6, ISO 80)
Wonders of the Ancient World
The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus was a city in ancient Greece on the coast of Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of the former Arzawan capital by Greek colonists.
During the Classical Greek era, it was one of twelve cities that were members of the Ionian League. The city came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC.
The city was famous in its day for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), which has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its many monumental buildings included the Library of Celsus and a theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators.
Ephesus was also one of the seven churches of Asia cited in the Book of Revelation; the Gospel of John may have been written there; and it was the site of several 5th-century Christian Councils.
The city was destroyed by the Goths in 263. Although it was afterwards rebuilt, its importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Küçükmenderes River. In 614, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake.
In 2015, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(Canon PowerShot SD880 IS, 1/500 @ f/5.6, ISO 80)