Ephesus, as in Turkey! I am here with my mom on a two week trip to visit some of the places where the Apostle Paul and John the Apostle walked.
Today was our first day of the tour and we visited the city of Ephesus. The way I picture Bible stories and events seems to never match the places I have visited.
This is just outside Ephesus...beautiful mountains and tropical plants cover the terrain.
This is at the entrance of the current ruins. Ephesus was a port city in Paul's time but due to the build up of silt, the Aegean Sea is now about 5 miles from the ruins.
We generally think of the fish to be a symbol of the Christian faith but the early church also used this one. It is explained like this:
A section of the city that looks out at the mountains that surround it.
This is the main road heading down to the library (which was not there during Paul's time). He would have walked this street through the city, though. There are side streets going to homes, shops, the main bath house, latrine, etc.
Nike statue. I believe she was the goddess of victory and is always depicted with this form (hence the Nike swish the brand).
Another view of the main thorough fare in the center of the city.
Along the roadside there are stones mixed with ruins that will not be restored.
Mosaic's still visible at the foot of the terrace homes of the wealthy.
The library
The latrine. Ewwwww.... This was only for the men. Not sure why anyone would want to socialize while engaged in this process but whatever.... All I can say is: GROSS!
This is the road to the Grand Theatre. You may remember from Acts 19, the Grand Theatre was the site of a two hour riot against Paul and his companions. The silversmiths who made shrines of the pagan goddess Artemis became enraged that Paul was putting them out of business. They started shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians," and continued shouting that for two hours. Paul had to leave the region the next day after living there for two years.
Inside the Grand Theatre. Paul wanted to appear there and talk to the crowd but his friends compelled him to stay away. A local official finally was able to disperse the rioters.
According to historians, John the apostle lived in Ephesus in his later years and possibly brought Jesus' mother, Mary, with him. John died there around 100 years of age. We visited St. John's Basilica but it's late and it's taking forever to get these pictures to load so I'm not going to post them. He is supposedly buried there.
Tomorrow we take a ship to the Isle of Patmos where John was exiled and received the vision that is recorded in Revelation.
