History of Ephesus

Ephesus was an important coastal city for pagans and Christians, for religious and secular reasons, including being the place Romans landed when about to take over the province of Asia. Its ancient population was about a quarter of a million.The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was sponsored by the Lydian king Croesus, designed by the Greek architect Chersiphron, and decorated with bronze statues sculpted by the renowned Pheidias, Polycleitus, Kresilas, and Phradmon.

The following resources provide information on all these aspects of the ancient history of Ephesus. Panoramic photographs and virtual tours make this city in modern Anatolia particularly vivid for modern Internet audiences.

The Ancient Library of Celsus
"Between 12,000 and 15,000 scrolls were housed in the grand Library of Celsus in the Roman city, Ephesus."

Ephesus
Diagram of Ephesus and images of the following: The Great Theater from the scena (panorama), The Great Theater from the Orchestra (panorama), Small Street going to the Public Toilets (panorama), Temple of Hadrian (panorama), Odeon (panorama), State Agora (panorama), Domitian Square (panorama), Library facade and Gate of Augustus.

Ephesus
In the time of Augustus, the population of Ephesus was 200,000. The city played an important role in the early Church: The third Ecumenical Council was held there in A.D. 431; Paul conducted his ministry there for 3 years.

The City of Ephesus
An article on the city of Ephesus, by David Padfield, with an accompanying virtual tour.