Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus Library
First settlement date back to 6000BC. Earliest settlers are women warriors called Amazones. Originally from the Black Sea shores of Anatolia. 10th century BC Greek race called Ionians migrating to the area and founding the provincce of Ionia. Like many civilizations Ionains had the faith to a mother goddess that they called Artemis. Ionains built a temple dedicated to their mother goddess. The Temple of Artemis in the 3rd century BC selected as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In the 7th century BC Ephesus is ruled by Lydians and in 546 BC captured by Persians. Persians rule lasted till 334BC. In 334 BC after defeating the Persian army at the Battle of Granikos, Alexander ruled the area. After the death of Alexander, his whole emprire was shared by his generals. One of the generals called Lysimachos started ruling the area in the 3rd century BC. He relocated the city to the current location. 133BC Roman rule started in Ephesus. In year 27BC Augustus the nephew of Julius Galius Caesar arrived the area and selected Ephesus as the capital of the Asia Province of Roman Empire. As being a port city, as being a capital and as having the temple of Artemis which was a pilgramage site. Ephesus attaracted many people to the city. Citys population was over 200.000 people in the 1st and 2nd century. The prosperous days of Ephesus lasted till 4th century AD. In the 4th century Ephesus was hit by earth quakes, malaria became an importatnt desease and since christianity was selected as the state religion of Roman Emkpire, they did not need the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus lost its importance. Constatinapolis became the new capital of Asia Province of Roman Empire. City of Ephesus is abaondoned in the 7th century AD. In 19th century excavations began in Ephesus. So far %10 of the site is excavated. Almost 2 milion people visiting the site today.