Ephesus was once one of the three largest cities of the Roman Asia Minor. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The iconic Library of Celcius and the open-air theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators are other highlights at Ephesus. The city had one of the most advanced aqueduct systems in the ancient world, with multiple aqueducts of various sizes to supply different areas of the city.
Major restoration efforts were made to the Terrace Houses located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple. It gives us an idea of how the wealthier families lived in the ancient times. Most of the houses were two-storied with clay pipes beneath the floors and behind the walls carrying hot air through the house in the winter months. These houses also had hot and cold water.
What remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Entering the city of Ephesus.
Library of Celcius
Beautiful mosaics and frescoes at the Terrace Houses.
Terrace Houses
Terrace Houses
The iconic Library of Celcius at Ephesus.
Library of Celcius
Ephesus
Theatre at Ephesus
The large 25,000 seat theatre at Ephesus.
Another ancient ruin of interest about 2 hours away from Ephesus is Pergamum. Pergamum was one of the most influential ancient cities in the Roman Empire. It was well known for its arts and innovation. They have the steepest theatre in the ancient world here as well as the world’s first psychiatric hospital.
The ancient agora of Pergamum.
The Asklepion at Pergamum was a temple and medical center dedicated to Asklepius, the god of healing. In this place people who were sick could bathe in the water of a sacred spring, which was later discovered to contain radioactive properties. Patients had claimed that Asclepius would appear in their dreams to tell them how to cure their illnesses.
Pergamum
Pergamum
Under the floor of this vaulted tunnel, water flowed, and on the ceiling there are 12 windows to provide sunlight inside the tunnel. The purpose of the tunnel is to treat psychiatric patients with the relaxing and calming sound of flowing water.
The roman theatre at Pergamum.
The Hellenistic Theater at Pergamum with a seating capacity of 10,000 is the steepest of any known theater in the ancient world.
