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Grand Theatre, Ephesus, Turkey featuring Geoffrey W. Sutton |
Permission granted to download the photos for personal use and not-for-profit educational use provided you acknowledge the source.
http://suttontravels.blogspot.com/2017/03/ephesus-turkey.html
Our visit to
EPHESUS remains in our memories as one of the more outstanding cities. After a short cruise with island stops, we crossed the Agean Sea from Athens and landed at Kusadasi in Western Turkey. From there we took a bus to Ephesus where a guide provided a walking tour.
Depending on the source, a city has been here for about 4,000 years. An early settlment dates from the 11th Century BCE- founded by Androcles from Athens. Other groups ruling the city were the Lydians and Persians. Alexander the Great liberated the city in 334 BCE.
Egyptians and Syrians had their turn until the Romans arrived in 190 BCE. Much of the city was destroyed when the Goths invaded in 263 CE.
Constantine I rebuilt part of the city, which was ruined by an earthquake in 614 CE.
You can follow a route using many available
maps.
Our route began near the Odeon. A small theatre for concerts and performances near the State Agora.
We walked along Curetes street past the Temple of Domitian. Although named as dedicated to the Roman Emperor, Domitian, more recent research indicates it was to honor Titus.
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Temple of Domitian by Geoffrey W. Sutton |
There's a monument to Memmius near the Heracles Gate. The Memmius memorial was reportedly ordered by Augustus in the first century CE to honour Caius, grandson of Sulla.
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Memmius Monument by Geoffrey W. Sutton |
You will pass the Trajan Fountain built in honor of the Roman Emperor Trajan, second century CE.
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Trajan Fountain by Geoffrey W. Sutton |
Some columns remain of the Hadrian Temple built by Theodosius to honour his father in the second century CE.
Nearby is a favourite photo spot -- the Men's Latrines with a duck pond. Reportedly, these were public toilets. Water flowed beneath the benches.
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Men's Latrines, Ephesus; Geoffrey W. Sutton |
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Duck Pond by Men's Latrines, Ephesus |
Further along are the amazing remains of the Celsus Library built by Gaius Julius Aquila to honour his father in 135 CE. It is reported that thousands of scrolls could be housed at the Library. It is one of the most attractive buildings along Curetes Street.
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Celsus Library, Ephesus, Geoffrey W. Sutton |
Close to the Library are the local brothel, agora, and the Harbour Road. The brothel was reportedly dedicated to Aphrodite (Venus) and a statue of Priapus can be seen in the Ephesus Museum. Remains of the Agora (public square/marketplace) can be seen to the side of the road.
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The Harbour Road, Ephesus, Geoffrey W. Sutton |
There's not much left of the Temple of Artemis. You can find a statue of Artemis in the local museum.
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Statue of Artemis, Internet, Free to Share |
Tradition has it that St. John was the designated carer for Mary, mother of Jesus. And that John and Mary ended their days in Ephesus. Nearby buildings are erected in their memory.
The Bible mentions the presence of the Apostle Paul in Ephesus during the first Century. For example, see Acts 19.
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