Ephesus After Antiquity

Professor Foss charts the fluctuations of Ephesus from the tenth to the nineteenth centuries.

Although the symposium "Ephesos from Late Antiquity until the Late Middle Ages", the contributions of which are presented here, took place in 2012, the contributors were able to take the latest results into account and incorporate them into this volume. An Archaeological Introduction by excavation director Sabine Ladstatter for the latest results, which are published here for the first time. The same applies to all other contributions, whether they deal with the restoration project of the Turkish monuments in Ayasoluk, the research in the Cemetery of the Seven Sleepers, the health status of the inhabitants of early Byzantine Ephesus or investigate roads and routes as communication channels in the Ephesian hinterland. A late testimony to the spiritual significance of the place is the biography of St. Lazarus. The bathing in Ephesos from early Byzantine to Islamic times is discussed and chronologically evaluated on the basis of the individual monuments and the topic of port research is taken into account with the contribution to the number and condition of ephesian ports after the Roman period. Byzantine crosses are associated with the pilgrimage, the medieval Ephesus is viewed as a production and consumption center based on findings and findings. A medieval coin hoard from the Artemision, which is now in the British Museum, also integrates numismatic research. The volume is rounded off by a cultural-historical analysis of the Isa Bey Mosque. The contributions are characterized by rich and high-quality images that include historical map material, 3-D reconstructions and modern drone photography.

*Includes pictures *Chronicles the history of Ephesus and profiles its most famous buildings *Includes footnotes, online resources and a bibliography for further reading *Includes a table of contents "We shall never know what magnificence is, until this imperial city is laid bare to the sun." - Mark Twain "I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, 'Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.'" - Antipater Although it is no longer quite as well remembered as it was thousands of years ago, one of the most important cities in the ancient world was Ephesus, a city that dates back nearly 3,000 years and can lay claim to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Moreover, while Sparta and Athens were often the centers of power in ancient Greece, Ephesus, located in present-day Turkey on the coast of Ionia, was an instrumental part of the Ionian League, which wielded power for a substantial period of time before the Classical Era. Thanks to its strategic location, Ephesus was an important city no matter who was in control of the region. In fact, while many of its most famous buildings were completed by 500 BCE, the city flourished after it became part of Rome's domains, and the Romans respected the culture so much that they continued letting Ephesus use original coins. In turn, as the Western Roman Empire dissolved and the Eastern Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire maintained control in the area, Ephesus became an important religious center. In addition to a shrine inspired by the Virgin Mary, Ephesus was mentioned repeatedly in the Bible, including in the New Testament's Revelations, and St. Paul even wrote some of the epistles in Ephesus. Ironically, and unfortunately, it was Ephesus' role as an important place for early Christians that ensured the final destruction of its most famous feature: the Temple of Artemis. One of the oldest of the Wonders, construction began under King Croesus around 541 BCE, and it was constructed of marble in place of a previous structure that had been destroyed by a flood. The 3rd century Hellenic African scholar Callimachus of Cyrene believed the older structure had been built by the Amazons, but the original Temple of Artemis actually dated back to the late Greek Bronze Age around 1000 BCE. It may have been the first columned temple of its kind, but the site was not considered a Wonder of the World until after Croesus' version was built. A lot of information about the history of the Temple of Artemis remains unknown. It was built three times in all before its final destruction by the Goths in 262 CE, but the site's history thereafter is unclear before its rediscovery in 1869. It may have been repaired after the 3rd century CE, but this did not prevent it from being pillaged for building materials to construct Christian buildings in Constantinople a couple of centuries later. Early Christians resented the temple because of its cult and following, and stories in the New Testament survive of early saints praying to exorcise it, causing physical destruction, or being forbidden from entering the city due to citizens' fears of damage to the temple. These tales may reflect real-life instances of attempted arson or vandalism. Ancient Ephesus: The History and Legacy of One of Antiquity's Greatest Cities looks at the influential city and the way it flourished for centuries. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about Ephesus like never before.

Many travellers dream of visiting an ancient city that has been preserved not only in the form of modest ruins. Would it not be so much more exciting the see such a city in its glory or at least in the state that would echo the magnificent past of the place? While many experienced tourists can point to Pompeii in Italy as such a city, there is also another great location where history is still alive. Ephesus, the pearl of eastern Mediterranean, is a perfect demonstration of the ostentatious wealth of the Greek settlements on the shores of Asia Minor. While Pompeii was erected mainly of bricks, Ephesus shocks the visitors even today with the generous application of the best and most expensive construction materials, including many variations of marble.Naturally, such a splendid archaeological site as Ephesus receives thousands of visitors daily, and it may seem that it does not hold any secrets from them. Millions of photos are taken there every year and then appear in books, leaflets, websites, and social media channels. Can we hope to discover something not published on Facebook or Instagram there? Is it possible to find a peaceful and quiet corner or see the grand theatre and the lavishly decorated Library of Celsus without the crowds? This book has been prepared with the hope to assist all of the readers ready to find out more than can be learned about Ephesus from popular guidebooks and information boards.The aim of this book is not only to take the visitors from one location to another, but also to provide them with more information and question the truth of some commonly repeated statements. Was the small building on Curetes Street really the Temple of Hadrian? Did St. John write the Book of Revelation during his stay in Ephesus? Are the statues adorning the Library of Celsus the portraits of the four virtues of the founder? Who lived in the famous Terrace Houses? Finally, did Mary, the mother of Jesus, live her final years in the city? This book will provide the answers to these and many more questions.During the journey that this guidebook has planned for its readers, they will visit not only the archaeological site of Ephesus, but also other sights situated nearby. The necropoles of the city have been presented here, including the famous Grotto of Seven Sleepers and the cemetery of gladiators that revealed many details about the lives and deaths of these ancient entertainers. The travellers will also join the pilgrims who have arrived at Ephesus since the times unknown, first to worship the Anatolian Mother Goddess, and then her Hellenised version known as Artemis Ephesia whose sanctuary at Ephesus used to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The religious aura of Ephesus did not vanish with the end of antiquity, but has attracted Christian pilgrims for almost two millennia.The final part of this guidebook is devoted to the modest town of Selçuk that has inherited the rich history of ancient Ephesus. The treasures from the past are displayed in the Ephesus Museum located in the town, but it has its share of tourists attractions, too. Towering about the town, there is a hill called Ayasuluk with the imposing fortress that once protected the Basilica of St. John and the grave of this saint. Finally, the book will show you the Eastern Roman heritage of the town and its monuments from the first century of the Turkish rule. This period of history -- the 14th century -- was the last era of the city's great prosperity. Now, it is high time to re-discover Ephesus and walk off the beaten tourist trail, and this guidebook will assist you in this quest.

Scholars are divided in their views about the teachings on riches in 1 Timothy. Evidence that has been largely overlooked in NT scholarship appears in Ephesiaca by Xenophon of Ephesus and suggests that the topic be revisited. Recently dated to the mid-first century C.E., Ephesiaca brings to life what is known from ancient sources about the social setting and cultural rules of the wealthy in Ephesus and provides details that enhance our knowledge of life and society in that place and time. In this volume, Hoag introduces Ephesiaca and employs a socio-rhetorical methodology to explore it alongside other ancient evidence and five passages in 1 Timothy (2:9–15; 3:1–13; 6:1–2a; 6:2b–10; and 6:17–19). His findings augment our modern conception of the Sitz im Leben of the wealthy in Ephesus. Additionally, because Ephesiaca contains some rare terms and themes that are found in 1 Timothy, this groundbreaking research offers fresh insight for biblical reading and interpretation.

The last great war of antiquity was fought on an unprecedented scale along the full length of the Persian-Roman frontier. James Howard-Johnston pieces together the fragmentary evidence of this period to form, for the first time, a coherent story of the dramatic events, key players, and vast lands over which the conflict spread.

Essays that explore early Christian texts and the broader world in which they were written This volume of twelve essays celebrates the contributions of classicist Judith Perkins to the study of early Christianity. Drawing on Perkins's insights related to apocryphal texts, representations of pain and suffering, and the creation of meaning, contributors explore the function of Christian narratives that depict pain and suffering, the motivations of the early Christians who composed these stories, and their continuing value to contemporary people. Contributors also examine how narratives work to create meaning in a religious context. These contributions address these issues from a variety of angles through a wide range of texts. Features: Introductions to and treatments of several largely unknown early Christian texts Essays by ten women and two men influenced or mentored by Judith Perkins Essays on the Deuterocanon, the New Testament, and early Christian relics