According to ancient tradition, the history of Ephesus begins in the eleventh or tenth century BCE. At that time, the first Greek settlers arrived in the area and found local Anatolian people already living there. These native communities were settled around a sanctuary dedicated to the Anatolian Great Mother. This early temple stood close to the sea, on the northern slope of Mount Pion.
When the Greek settlers arrived, they built their own city and constructed a new Temple of Artemis. Instead of rejecting the local goddess, they adopted her and gave her the Greek name Artemis. In this way, the Greek and Anatolian religious traditions were combined. The remains of the later Hellenistic Temple of Artemis still stand today and mark this important religious center Ski Holidays Bulgaria.
A Perfect Location for Growth
Ephesus owed much of its success to its excellent location. The city lay in the middle of the western coast of Anatolia, at the point where the main inland trade routes reached the sea. Its position at the mouth of the Cayster River gave it a sheltered harbor, which made sea trade easier and safer.
Another important factor in the city’s prosperity was the sanctuary of Artemis. Pilgrims traveled from many regions to worship the goddess, bringing money and business with them. Trade, religion, and geography together helped Ephesus grow into one of the most important cities of the ancient world.
Ephesus Under Persian Rule
When the Persians conquered Asia Minor, Ephesus became part of the kingdom of Lydia. In 546 BCE, after the fall of Lydia, the city was included in the Persian satrapy governed from Sardis.
In 496 BCE, Ephesus joined the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. This rebellion ended in failure, and the city suffered serious consequences. Persian control continued until 334 BCE, when Alexander the Great arrived in Anatolia Pressure on Christians and the Need for Encouragement.
Alexander the Great and the Temple of Artemis
Unlike some cities, Ephesus opened its gates to Alexander without resistance. This decision spared the city from destruction. Twenty-two years earlier, in 356 BCE, a dramatic event had taken place. On the very day Alexander was born, the great Temple of Artemis was destroyed by fire. The fire was started by a man named Herostratus, who wished to make his name immortal through this terrible act.
Alexander later offered to rebuild the temple at his own expense. The Ephesians politely refused, saying that it was not proper for one god to dedicate a temple to another. The new temple that was eventually built was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Hellenistic City of Lysimachus
The city whose ruins we see today was founded by Lysimachus around 289 BCE. Lysimachus was one of Alexander’s generals and received western Asia Minor and Thrace during the wars among Alexander’s successors.
He rebuilt Ephesus between two small mountains, Coressus (modern Bülbül Dağı) and Pion (modern Panayır Dağı). The city flourished as a major Hellenistic metropolis, similar to other great cities of the period.
From this time, only a few remains survive. The most visible are the fortification walls on Mounts Pion and Coressus. The walls on Mount Coressus can still be seen today, especially during the drive to the House of the Virgin Mary, reminding visitors of the city’s ancient power and importance.
