Photo (C) AB. The library of Celsus - which really is not a library at Ephesus, Turkey.
Little is known about the origins of Ephesus including the name however, one of the stories is that this massive city was founded by Andres a son of Codros, the king of Athens.
It seems that history takes us back to the 7th Century BCE and tells us of Cimmerians, Lydians and Persians ruling Ephesus.
Other Significant others are Alexander, (334 BCE) and Emperor Augustus.
Ephesus was destroyed by Goths 262 AD and nowadays much restoration has taken place and presents an interesting tourist location.
The old city is 13 km from the coast but at one time the sea lapped at Harbour St. at the city.
We accessed Ephesus by cruise ship disembarking at Kusadasi.
On our second trip heading there by cruise ship we were informed on the way that the ship's Captain decided not to berth at Kusadasi due to terrorist threats. Soon after we got the all clear, we could berth at Kusadasi! How did this decision change so quickly! I have a suspicion that when the Turkish Authorities got wind of the decision the Captain was warned by authorities of the consequences of not berthing. You see tourist dollars are always more important than Safety. We arrived and continued our journey to Ephesus.
Ephesus is near Samos Island and a short distance to the important city of Seljuk, you are able to walk from Ephesus to Selcuk.
It is noted that Cleopatra and Anthony rode in procession at Ephesus.
An incident there remains crystal clear to me as on one of our two visits a double humped beautiful show camel (Bactrian Camel) sneezed on me, details available on request.
The famous Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world ( 7th century BCE) was destroyed seven times in history and is located nearby.
Other interesting remains in the city include The Ayasolok Fortress, the mosque, church of St John, the baths (cold, temperate and hot ) the House of Love and the Latrina. (Whilst we were there a child sat on one of the loos with her mum telling her to get off because of infection ) The Museum, Harbour, Curetes and Marble streets (On Marble Street you may spot a heart and foot carved into the marble, this is the sign of a nearby brothel) Artemis Hall, the library and The Cave of the Seven Sleepers, one of the world's most sacred Christian Sites. There is much more to see including The Theatre however, you may not see animals or Gladiators fighting there which was the Saturday Arvo. entertainment during the 3rd Century BCE for up to 24,000 spectators.
Ephesus is one of the most interesting places we have been fortunate to visit.
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