Ephesus Ancient City 5

 

Ephesus was undoubtedly the golden age, living in the Roman period, which was the capital of the Asian Roman province. Especially in the Augustus era, the city has a radical change in its construction plan. Participation of Ephesus in the universal Mediterranean market, the influx of foreign merchants and the demand for luxury goods cause the commercial activities to increase tremendously. In the last quarter of the 1st century AD, the port of Ephesus developed and became one of the most important ports of Asia Minor. The hexagonal basin was surrounded by ship shelters, skylights, warehouses and shops. The central harbor gate at Ephesus's main entrance, the gigantic harbor chapel, provided the opportunity for cleaning and relaxation before the traveler entered the city. The Great Theater, last addition is built in the 2nd century AD is located at the end of the port cave. Commercial facilities and commodities are arranged around the city's commercial center Tetragonos Agora. Kuretler Caddesi is surrounded with richly decorated housing structures, fountains, baths, halls, shops and honorary monuments. The street provides a way down to the Celsus Library, built on the grave of Julius Celsus Polemaeanus in the first quarter of the 2nd century AD. On the west end of Kuretler Caddesi, Yamaç Evleri is an extraordinary example reflecting the lifestyle of the upper class living in Ephesus. The busy residential area covering 4000 square meters is located on the skirts of the northern slope of Bülbüldağ. These detached dwelling units are arranged in groups of two on the slopes. Decorated with mosaics, wall paintings and marble panels, these houses bring out the lifestyle of the sophisticated upper layer of the Roman Empire's city. The houses built during the Tiberius period were used until the 3rd century when they were destroyed by a major earthquake. The huge Theater overlooks to the settlement on the west of the Panayırdağ. It was very important for the urban infrastructure because of its functions like the urban focal point and the place of the parliament. Approximately 25,000 theaters were completed during the Imperial period. Only cultural activities would not take place in the theater. At the same time gladiatorial games and at least ekklesia (People's Assembly) was the meeting place of the people of Ephesus. This function is also mentioned in the New Testament, which describes the uprising of silversmiths against the mission of Saint Paul. Today's appearance is largely due to repairs combined with the Byzantine fortification wall during the Late Roman Period.