---
title: Ephesus
author: Joshua J. Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Ephesus
_Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_
According legend, Ephesus (also Ephesos) was founded by the tribe of the [Amazons](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/), great female warriors. The name of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) is thought to have been derived from "Apasas", the name of a city in the "Kingdom of Arzawa" meaning the "city of the Mother Goddess".
Some scholars maintain that the sign of the *labrys*, the double-axe of the mother goddess which adorned the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at [Knossos](https://www.worldhistory.org/knossos/), [Crete](https://www.worldhistory.org/crete/), originated in Ephesus. As the labrys was associated only with female deities in Crete, it is possible that it was originally associated with the goddess [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/) in Ephesus whose [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) there was one of [the Seven Wonders](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Seven_Wonders/) of the Ancient World.
Ephesus was inhabited from the end of the [Bronze Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Bronze_Age/) onwards, but the location was changed owing to floods and the whims of various rulers. While Carians and Lelegians were among the city's first inhabitants, Ionian migrations began around 1200 BCE and Ephesus is chiefly known as a Ionian [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) city. Ephesus is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
### Greek Ephesus
The city was founded for the second time by the Ionian Androclus, son of Codrus, and the [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) that were established after the Ionian migrations joined in a confederacy under the leadership of the city of Ephesus. The region was devastated during the Cimmerian invasion at the beginning of the 7th century BCE but, under the rule of the Lydian kings, Ephesus became one of the wealthiest cities in the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) world through [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/).
Ephesus was a center of learning and the birthplace and home of the great Pre-Socratic philosopher [Heraclitus of Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heraclitus_of_Ephesos/) (l.c. 500 BCE). [Women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) enjoyed rights and privileges equal to men and there are records of female artists, sculptors, painters and teachers, including the artist Timarete (l.c. 5th century BCE), known for her painting of Artemis. At night the streets of the city were brightly lit with oil lamps, a luxury not many cities could afford, and the citizens enjoyed a significantly high standard of living.
Under the rule of King [Croesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/croesus/) of [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/) (c. 585-c. 546 BCE), construction of the great [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/) was begun, one of the [Seven Wonders](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Seven_Wonders/) of the Ancient World. It was destroyed, the first time, by fire in 356 BCE, (the same night [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) was born) by a man who wanted to become famous for this act; consequently, the Ephesians refused to record his name (though it later became known).
The defeat of Croesus by [Cyrus II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cyrus_the_Great/) (the Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE), King of [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/), brought the whole of [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) under Persian rule but Ephesus continued to prosper as an important port of trade. When the Ionian city-states rebelled against Persian rule in the 5th century BCE, Ephesus remained neutral and thus escaped the destruction suffered by so many other cities at the hands of the Persians.
[  Model of the Temple of Artemis Faigl.ladislav (GNU FDL) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/180/model-of-the-temple-of-artemis/ "Model of the Temple of Artemis")### [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) Ephesus
Ephesus remained under Persian rule until liberated by [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) the Great in 334 BCE. Upon entering Ephesus, and seeing the reconstruction of the Temple of Artemis not yet complete, Alexander offered to rebuild it. The Ephesians, however, refused his offer, claiming it was not seemly for one [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) to build a temple to another, flattering Alexander as a deity, as they did not wish to be in his debt.
[Lysimachus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lysimachus/), one of the generals of Alexander who became ruler of the region after Alexander's [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), began renewal and development of the city, which he called Arsineia after his wife [Arsinoe II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Arsinoe_II_Philadelphus/). He constructed a new harbor, built defensive walls on the slopes of the Panayýr and Bülbül mountains and moved the city approximately two miles south-west. The Ephesians, however, refused to leave their homes and the traditional site of their city so Lysimachus had the city's sewage system blocked up during a great storm, thus rendering the houses uninhabitable and forcing the citizens to move. In 281 BCE the city was re-founded under the old name of Ephesus and, again, was known as one of the most important commercial ports in the Mediterranean.
### [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Ephesus
In 129 BCE the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) acquired Ephesus according to the will left by [Attalos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/attalos/), King of [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/), by which they were bequeathed his kingdom. During this time, the heavy taxes imposed by the [Roman government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Government/) led to the rebellion of [Mithridates VI](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mithridates_VI/) (r. 120-63 BCE) and, in 88 BCE, a massacre of all the Latin speaking inhabitants of the city (and surrounding regions) was carried out during the event that has come to be known as the Asiatic Vespers. Planned and implemented by Mithridates VI, the Asiatic Vespers resulted in the deaths of over 80,000 Romans and Italian citizens in the region of [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) in a single day and Ephesus, of course, suffered significant losses with the other cities and villages.
Ephesus suffered severe damage in an [earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) in 17 CE but, after recovering, became once more a very important center of trade and commerce. The historian Aristio, and others, describe Ephesus as being recognized by all the inhabitants of the region as the most important trading center in Asia. It also remained a leading political and intellectual center, boasting the impressive Celsus Library and the second school of [philosophy](https://www.worldhistory.org/philosophy/) in the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/).
[  Library of Celsus, Ephesus Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/691/library-of-celsus-ephesus/ "Library of Celsus, Ephesus")
From the 1st century CE onwards, Ephesus was visited repeatedly by early Christians (most notably [Saint Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/), who preached and was 'booed' in the theater there), and Mary, the mother of [Jesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jesus_Christ/), is said to have retired there along with Saint John (John's [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/) and Mary's house may still be visited today). The Biblical Book of Ephesians is an epistle written by [Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Paul/) to the Christian community at Ephesus. The city became famous in later times for the Cave of the Seven Sleepers who were reputed to be seven Christian saints who were walled up in a cave above Ephesus for their faith in 'pagan times', slept for two [hundred years](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Hundred_Years/), and emerged after [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) had come to power, thus proving the 'truth' of the faith in the resurrection of the body.
### Decline
After Christianity became the dominant [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) of the region, Ephesus declined in [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) and intellectual pursuits. The Emperor Theodosius I (r. 379-395 CE), an ardent supporter of Christianity, had all of the pagan temples and schools closed and women were reduced to second-class citizen status, no longer allowed to teach men or work independently in the arts. The decrees of Theodosius I resulted in similar changes elsewhere but seem more dramatic in Ephesus owing to the high degree of culture the city enjoyed prior to the rise of Christianity.
Worship of the ancient mother goddess Artemis was forbidden and the Temple of Artemis was destroyed by a Christian mob, the ruins used as a quarry for building materials for other local projects such as churches. The streets, once adorned with statuary, highly maintained and lighted by the oil lamps at night, fell into decay and darkness as the attention of the now-Christian citizens of Ephesus was directed toward the Second Coming of The Light of the World, the new god [Jesus Christ](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jesus_Christ/).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Ancient Ephesus city](http://www.ephesus.ws/ancient-ephesus-city.html "Ancient Ephesus city"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [Archaeology and the Cities of Asia Minor in Late Antiquity: Ephesos](http://sitemaker.umich.edu/late-antiquity/ephesos "Archaeology and the Cities of Asia Minor in Late Antiquity: Ephesos"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [Auden, W. H. *The Portable Greek Reader .* Penguin Classics, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140150390/)
- [Durant, W. *The Life of Greece.* Scribners Publishing, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1684115558/)
- [Grant, M. *Readings in the Classical Historians.* Scribners Publishing, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000FSP7LE/)
- [Jordan, P. *Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.* Routledge, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B01F9GMDCM/)
## About the Author
Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339)
## Timeline
- **1200 BCE**: Ionian migrations into the region around [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/).
- **c. 550 BCE - c. 430 BCE**: Construction of the [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/), one of [the Seven Wonders](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Seven_Wonders/) of the Ancient World.
- **547 BCE**: [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) conquered by the Persians. [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) remains neutral.
- **21 Jul 356 BCE**: The [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/) is destroyed by a deliberate fire.
- **c. 355 BCE - c. 330 BCE**: The [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/) is rebuilt/restored.
- **334 BCE**: [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) liberated from Persian rule by [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/).
- **c. 320 BCE**: [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) renamed Arsineia by [Lysimachus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lysimachus/) following [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/)'s [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/).
- **c. 300 BCE - c. 290 BCE**: [Theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/) of [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) constructed.
- **281 BCE**: [City](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) is re-founded as [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/).
- **129 BCE**: [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) becomes part of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/).
- **88 BCE**: Mithridates Rebellion and massacre of Latin speaking Ephesians by [Sulla](https://www.worldhistory.org/sulla/).
- **17 CE**: [Earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) destroys much of [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/).
- **c. 60 CE - 130 CE**: Life of the physician Soranus of [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/).
- **c. 70 CE**: The rise of [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) contributes to the cultural and physical decline of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/).
- **114 CE**: The [Library of Celsus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Celsus/) at [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) commissioned by [Tiberius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiberius/) [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) Acquila.
- **117 CE**: The [Library of Celsus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Celsus/) at [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) completed.
- **c. 138 CE**: [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) dedicated to [Hadrian](https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/) built in [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/).
- **262 CE**: The [Library of Celsus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Celsus/) at [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) destroyed by fire during invasion by the [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/).
- **c. 267 CE**: The [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/) plunder and destroy the [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/).
- **401 CE**: The [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/) is destroyed by a Christian mob.
## Questions & Answers
### What is Ephesus famous for today?
Ephesus is famous for its well-preserved ruins, as a Christian pilgrimage site, and as the former site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
### What was Ephesus famous for in ancient times?
Ephesus was a prosperous and highly cultured trade center, home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
### Where was ancient Ephesus located?
Ephesus was located on the western shore of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
### Who was the goddess of ancient Ephesus?
Artemis was the patron deity of ancient Ephesus, known there as Artemis Ephesia. Her temple, begun in 550 BCE, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
### What happened to the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus?
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was first destroyed by fire in 356 BCE by Herostratus, a man hoping to become famous for the act. A smaller version was built and destroyed by the Goths in 268 CE. A third version may have then been built which was a ruin by c. 407 CE.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Mark, J. J. (2009, September 02). Ephesus. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Mark, Joshua J.. "Ephesus." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 02, 2009. .
### MLA
Mark, Joshua J.. "Ephesus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Sep 2009, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 02 September 2009. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.