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The
fame of Ephesus ruin is just about next to the city of Pompeii at the foot of Italy's volcano Mt. Vesuvius.
What
we see today is the historical site of a group of post-Roman
architectures, built by a general under Alexander the Great in 3rd
Century B.C. The history of Ephesus itself, however, can be traced
back to 60th Century B.C. (My goodness, can you imagine? China is said
to have close to five thousand years of history, and yet Ephesus has
eight thousand?! ) The archaeological digging in Ephesus started in 1869.
So far in 2006, with 137 years passed, the digging is only 5%
completed. (See the official website
www.selcuk.gov.tr)
We
hired a guide for our visit (Turkish tour leaders, without the specialty
license, are not permitted to explain the site). Being afraid of
missing some points, I was recording while listening. Unexpectedly, my
travel companion interrupted me, saying that the guide owned the
copyright of his spoken material. This was my first time to be reminded
that I shouldn't casually record the voice of another person. Well, I
would get a book then.
The
ancient inhabitants of Ephesus were the Lydia people migrated from
Anatolia (near Mesopotamia). They worshiped multiple gods, especially
the goddesses. In the female society of the new Stone Age (8000 to 2000
B.C.), female worship was usual. Ephesians believe that their city was
established by Queen Ephesia of the female
Amazonian tribe. History has recorded that
Ephesian females had civil rights and were
entitled to education and voting. They
might even assume the position of a court
judge. There is an interesting legend that
might be considered as the earliest feminism: women warriors cut off one
of their breasts in order to accommodate archery. To continue the
generation they would select strong men from a neighboring country for
intercourse and then kill them afterwards.
Historically, the kings of Persia, Syria and Egypt had all ruled
Ephesus. Alexander the Great annexed it in 334 B.C. In this period
Ephesus reached its golden peak in prosperity, becoming the second
largest city behind Alexandria in the East Roman Empire, with a
population between 400 and 500 thousands. Its goddess, named Artemis in
Greek and Diana in Roman, commanded the highest respect. Although there
were other gods imported from neighboring countries, the unique position
of Artemis, who took care of breeding and hunting, was undisputable.
At
the cross point of Cayste River and Aegean Sea, Ephesus was a commercial
port. Because of earthquakes and silted harbor, it gradually
degenerated into a village in the 11th Century. And it's now buried
under the ground, without any indication of human habitation.
The
most well-read part of Ephesus's history is described in the Book of
Acts of the New Testament. Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesus
congregation is in the Book of Ephesians. And, Ephesus is among the
seven churches described in the Book of Revelation.
As I was touring the
site, I could not help
letting a scene to emerge in my mind. In Chapter 19 of the Book of
Acts, Paul was preaching in Ephesus. He said that gods created by human
hands could not be God. Many people believed him and forsook idol,
causing other people, agitated
by the silversmiths who made silver shrines, to oppose him. The
disturbance turned into riot and spread to the entire town. The masses
gathered at the 25,000-seat theater yelling "Great is Artemis of the
Ephesians!" for two hours. This probably was the most theatrical part
of the Ephesus history.
(Translated
by Paul Ho)
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The
underground sewer
One of the four statues in front of the Library
There was a passage underneath the gates
which led to a prostitute courtyard.
The gates
are just next door to the Library.
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