The ancient city of Ephesus, home to so many stories even though we can only see a quarter of it now, has been the apple of almost the whole world's eye throughout history. Although the Hittites seem to have been the first to build the city, it changed hands many times and was apparently built for the last time in its current location by Alexander the Great.
This is the largest known theater of Antiquity. Theater plays, demonstrations, political meetings, rallies and even small gladiatorial fights took place here, with a capacity of about 25,000 people.
The real importance of the gladiator tombs, which are very well preserved, is revealed when the bones from the excavations are examined. Gladiators ate a vegetable grain-based diet, did not consume much meat and drank a herbal drink.
When Governor Celsus died, his son wanted to build a tomb to bury him and keep his name alive, and this library was born. According to the legend, the place is home to 14 thousand books, and at the door there are statues of women representing Wisdom, Virtue, Fate and Science.
According to the belief, after Jesus died, John and Mary fled Jerusalem and came to Ephesus. And Mary spent the last years of her life praying and worshipping in a house a few kilometers above Ephesus.
With the arrival of Mary and John, Christianity begins to spread in Ephesus. Accordingly, although John was 'unwanted' in the city, he somehow returned to Ephesus and wrote John, one of the 4 chapters of the Gospel, in Ephesus.
And John dies at the age of about 100 on the Ayasuluk Hill in Ephesus. Today the basilica where he died is a pilgrimage center for Christians.
Ephesus is the home of the legend of the 'Seven Sleepers', also mentioned in the Qur'an. According to the belief, in the 3rd century, 7 young people in the city refused to worship the Roman gods and, fleeing from the emperor, hid in a cave and fell asleep. And this sleep lasted for 300 years.
The Temple of Artemis, considered one of the 7 wonders of the world, is also in Ephesus. Antipatros of Sidon (4th century BC) says the following about the temple in his book 'On the 7 Wonders': 'I have seen many places, but outside Olympus the sun has never looked upon anything so great.'
St. Paul tells us that during a riot between Pagans and Christians, a municipal clerk said: 'Who does not know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the great temple of Artemis and of the holy stone that fell from heaven?
Alexander the Great, who was born on the day the Temple of Artemis was burned down, came to Ephesus. Although he wanted to repair the temple, the Ephesians refused his help. In the meantime, Ephesus, which is visited today, was founded by Alexander's General Lisimahos.
As an example of the class difference that was more evident in those days, the houses where the rich of Ephesus lived had central heating. Houses with walls and ceilings covered with mosaics and ornaments also have a hammam.
You can also see the statue of the 'world's most recognized' Goddess in Ephesus. Nike, who has the ability to run and fly very fast, is known as the Goddess of Victory of Ancient Greece.
According to archaeologists, these figures were carved on the marble road to help newcomers find the brothel. The billboard with the crowned woman, heart and left footprint is interpreted as: 'For the love of beautiful women, come to the house on the left.
The story of the brothel shown in the advertisement is also very interesting. It is said that there is an underpass connecting this brothel with the Library of Celcus. So Greek men could easily go to the brothel by saying they were going to the library.
Arsinoe IV, who proclaimed herself queen, fought Caesar but was defeated, was captured in 46 BC, pardoned by Caesar and exiled to the Temple of Artemis. However, the Princess was a threat to Cleopatra and was murdered by Marcus Antony at her instigation.