Today, a road trip to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus dating back to 550 BC. Later in the Roman Period, its population swelled to 250,000 making it one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean realm. Cleopatra spent a summer there and the ruins still bear witness to its greatness.
The Great Theatre has a capacity of 25,000. Here were held plays, musical events and gladiator fights.
Not much is left of the library, but its one remaining facade hints at the glory of the building. It was built in 135 AD to house some 12,000 scrolls and eventually to host the sarcophagus of its main Roman patron and local senator.
The details are jaw-dropping, and all this chiselled out of marble, designed to withstand the test of time.
Across from the library lay the Roman Baths. Don't be thinking this place was purely a spot to lather up. Men typically would typically engage in lively discussion over topics of the day. Also, it is said that certain "additional services" were offered in these establishments. While their wives thought their men were edifying their minds at the library, the tunnel connecting to the Baths saw a fair bit of traffic.
Wee Ephesus kittens playing in 2,000 year old ruins.
Efes...What came first: the Hellenistic city or the beer??
The original Turkish toilets in Hellenistic times. Seems tending to one's business was a social event. Folks would pick a spot and sit their fannies down on a slab of granite while chatting about current events with one's neighbour. Imagine John Smith from the next concession growing familiar with the intricacies of your poo-face. Call me uptight but it just dun't seem right.
There was a hierarchy to these public toilies. Think about it...the first spot above the area where the water initially flowed in was always the least "aromatic", thus the most highly coveted and more expensive or reserved for residents of greater status. A typical practice on cold days was to send one's house slave to the toilet a few minutes in advance to warm up the granite seat.
The Gate of Heracles narrowed Curates street the main drag, thus preventing access to chariots. Back in the day, municipal powers thought highly of hoofing it. Anyone passing through the gate tried touching both sides of the gate, as the might of Heracles was said to course through the gate.
The Temple of Hadrian was a monument dedicated to Hadrian, the goddess Artemis and the people of Ephesus. The centrepiece of the archway features a sculpted relief of Medusa, meant to turn any evil-doers to stone.
The commercial agora (public meeting place) allowed for a plethora of merchants of all sorts. Ephesus was the seat of the slavery trade in the first century AD so skin and goods were all game.
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