Ephesus

ancient history · greece · archaeology

A Greek treasure. Ephesus was built around 900 BC by Greek colonists on the coast of what is now Turkey. It grew to become one of the twelve most important cities in the Ionian League, a group of ancient Greek cities that worked together.

Conquered by Rome. In 129 BC, the Roman Republic took control of Ephesus. Under Roman rule, the city became even more powerful and important, attracting traders and visitors from all over the ancient world.

Built on the coast. Ephesus was located right on the Ionian coast, which made it a perfect spot for a busy port city. Ships could bring goods from distant lands, and merchants came to buy and sell their treasures.

Today in Turkey. The ruins of ancient Ephesus still exist in Selçuk, a town in İzmir Province in Turkey. Archaeologists and visitors explore the remains to learn about how people lived thousands of years ago.