EPHESUS IN MYTHOLOGY

It is widely accepted among ancient writers that Ephesus was founded in the time period between 1500 and 1000 BC. Archaeological diggings on the site prove this assumption to be true.

Later in history it has been established that the Aka peoples settled in the cities of the region of Ionia. They were escaping the Dorian invasions, which reached, to the Anatolian shores. According to legend, these newcomers were under the leadership of Androcles, son of Kodros. They asked their wise men where their new city should be established. The wise men replied that a wild boar and a fish would lead them to the site of the new city. Androcles, a recent arriver from Greece, was frying fish on an open fire one day soon thereafter. A fish flew from the pan into the bushes nearby. Sparks from the cooking fire also ignited the same bushes. A wild boar then ran from the burning bushes. Pursuing the boar, Androcles killed him. Remembering then the words of the wise men, he established the city on this site. The site of the killing of the wild boar lies 1,200 meters west from the Artemision. It was here the original city had it site.

The cities of Ionia were bound together by religious ties, and entitled the Ionian City Federation.

Androcles was the first king of Ephesus. He died in battle with the Carians, and the Ephesians erected a memorial in his honor. In the 7th Century BC, the Cimmerians invaded Ephesus. The Cimmerians burned and destroyed the city and the Artemis Temple. Following this event, Ephesus was ruled by tyrants, rather than its previous aristocratic rule.

Throughout history either out of pure luck, this city enjoyed good luck. In the 6th Century BC, the Lidian King Kroisos restored the Artemis Temple. He then re-settled the Ephesians around this temple. It is known that when King Kroisos lost the war with the Persians, along with other Ionian cities, Ephesus fell under Persian rule. One of Ephesus' important features was that it was a port city linking Sardis to Susa. The Ephesians used this harbor position to their advantage in many ways. For example, the City of Miletos, trade rival of Ephesus, was burned and destroyed during the Ionian invasion. The Ephesians consciously did not assist the Milesians. They protected themselves and strengthened their own position.

Alexander the Great showed a great interest in this city, largely due to the Temple of Artemis. Following Alexander, Lysimachos showed an interest in the city. With this re-building the city continued its position as a trade center. Lysimachos helped build a new city for the Ephesians with a fortress between Mt. Pion and Mt. Koressos. Thye have walls of 10 meters high and 9 kilometers in length. The people of Lebedos and Kolophon were moved to Ephesus, to enlarge and further develop the city. In this period Ephesus was adorned with its theater, stadium and gymnasium.

The Ephesians, in the year 88 BC, joined the King of Pontus, Mitridates, in killing thousands of Romans. But later, recognizing the power of Rome, they joined the Roman side. Thus gaining their friendship. With this move, they not only escaped the anger of Rome, but also, the city of Ephesus was made the capital of the Asian provinces by Rome.

Until the 1st Century AD, the Ephesians enjoyed good relations with everyone due to their politics. However, in the year 17 AD they could find no protection from an earthquake. And the city was destroyed. During the reign of the Emperor Tiberius, the city was re-built, and further. During the reign of Hadrian it was beautified. However, instead of being Hellenistic, the new city carried the seal of Roman architectural features. Ephesus gained religious importance with the residence of the Virgin Mary after the crucifixion of Christ. However, the city's luck began to turn as the harbor began to silt once again and the position of the city began to decline.

With the filling of the harbor, the city became uninhabitable. The Ephesians, during the reign of the Emperor Justinian (527-564 AD) moved to the hills of Ayasoluk where the Emperor built St. John's Basilica. Thus, the city was deserted and abandoned. The new settlement was surrounded with fortifications. In the year 1090 it fell to the Turks.

Let us now visit the Ephesus Museum to closely enjoy the sculpture of Artemis Ephisia, the Altar of the Temple of Domitian, the Socrates Frescoes, and the Theodosian relieves from the Temple of Hadrian. After examining these beautiful objects, we move on to study the Basilica of St. John on the Ayasoluk Hills.

In the 6th Century AD the Emperor Justinian built this magnificent basilica for St. John.

The entrance to this basilica (40 x 110 meters) was on the West side. The floor plan was laid out on a cross pattern. The narthex was covered with a single dome. The main church, on the other hand, was covered with six domes. Columns supported it.

The tomb of St. John lay beneath the central dome, under the floor.

On the east side of the basilica were sections used by the priests. These structures were separated from the church's main structure, in a semi-circular position. Floors are covered with mosaics. To the north of the tomb are frescoes depicting several saints. In the center is Christ, on the left St. John and a priest.

Certain sections of this basilica have been restored. On the capitals of several columns can be seen the monograms of the Emperor Justinian and his wife, the Empress Theodora.

ARTEMISIAN

The ruins lying on the right side of the road to Kusadasi are those of the Temple of Artemis (Diana). It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Virgin Goddess of Nature, Artemis is defined in the Iliad as follows: "Praise be to Artemis. She would water her horses at the reed-filled Meles River. She then passed speedily through Smyrna in her golden chariot toward the vineyards of Kloros."

From this description, the mention of Izmir (Smyrna) would indicate that the Goddess Artemis is of Anatolian origins. In another place in Homer's Iliad, the birthplace of Artemis is given as Ortygie. "Ortygie" means quail in ancient Greek. It might have also been related to the Mount of the Nightingale, the site of the original city of Ephesus. The Ephesians further had it passed through the Roman Senate that Ortygie was their place of origin, and Artemis their patron goddess. It is likely for this reason that the Ephesians erected such a magnificent temple to their goddess. In truth, "Artemis" is not a word of Greek origin. It is a derivative of "artemes", meaning 'untouched' or "unspoiled".

In Ephesus Artemis was considered one and the same as the goddess Kybelle, from whom the land of Anatolia was born. She is depicted with many facets. multi-breasted, and carrying a temple on her head. This three-storied temple indicates as well that she is the protector of cities. The crescent on her forehead indicates she is also the Moon Goddess and the breasts link her to fertility. Artemis as well carries the bee; the symbol of Ephesus. This indicates that she belongs uniquely to Anatolia.

This ravaged temple contained 127 columns, with the 36 at the entrance to the temple, sculpted. It was 125 meters in length, and 60 meters in width, rising to a height of 25 meters.

The Artemisian's earliest remnants date from the 7th Century BC. The Cimmerians destroyed the original temple. It was rebuilt in the 6th Century BC. Destroyed again during the reign of the Mad King Hesostratos in the year 356 BC, Ephesus began to rebuild it on an even grander scale. Alexander, when passing through Ephesus in these days, learned that the temple had been burned and destroyed on his birthday. He desired to assist therefore in its re-construction. He wishes, however, that the new temple would be dedicated to him. The Ephesians did not assent, and undertook the reconstruction on their own.

Spread over 6000 square meters, the new temple of Artemis measured 105 meters long, 55 meters in width, and 25 meters in height. The sacred ness of the temple itself was extended to the people. This sacred quality was continued and expanded upon by succeeding rulers for several hundred years. The Emperor Augustus ended it. In 263 AD the temple was sacked and destroyed by the Goth's invasion.

In 1869, the Englishman, Wood, discovered the site of the Artemision. Excavations continued in 1904 by another Englishman names Hogart. In 1895 Austrians excavated the temple, and are presently undertaking work in the region around Oren.

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