EPHESUS

Photographs and Commentary by Debra Jan Bibel
 

   Music: Pini della Via Appia [Pines of Rome / Respighi / Dutoit / Orchestre symphonique de Montréal / London]: 3 min excerpt

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Our visit to Ephesus gave us an opportunity to regard Turkey in ancient times. While structures from Hittite and early Greek eras are rare or buried, Rome endured and built large and strong. Amphitheaters and small temples are still scattered in coastal regions. The ruins of Ephesus, near Selçuk, south of Izmir, were preserved as an outdoor museum; structures from different periods of the city's long active existence into Byzantium can be found. The area also has interest for Christians, for Saint John came here and is buried on a hill near Selçuk, and the house where Mary [the Virgin] was supposed to have spent her final years is also nearby.  The actual house was destroyed by earthquakes but was restored and is now a shrine, visited by Popes and pilgrims.

An artistic retaining wall on a highway.	Vista of a lake on the way to Selçuk.	Another view.	We stop for refreshments. Near the shore, the lake is covered with algae.	A palm tree in Selçuk. Our first seen.	A rich agricultural valley. Olive orchards, of course.
We drive up Bulbul Dag (Nightingale Mountain).	Entrance to the shrine.	We queue for the restored house of Mary, now church.	Another side.	Generations: Carmen, Chloe, and Lara.	Like with the Wailing Wall, the remnant of Solomon's Temple, visitors here place prayers and wishes.
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Lunch outside.	In cooler seasons and at night, a hearth.	Ephesus: We enter the agora and the stoa. Beyond is the Odeon, or senate.	The ruins alone make a fine sculpture.	The Town Hall stood here.	Classic ruins, with the colonnade held up by a lintel.
Rement of Varius Bath.	Each ornamentation at a foundation corner.	Entrance to the upper amphitheater, a later addition to Ephesus, as a Great Theater already existed.	The Greeks produced the stereotype. There is a Greek Theatre at my alma mater, UC Berkeley.	Various levels; I wonder if citizens paid different prices for dress circle and balcony.	Looking down Curetes Street.
The streets were lined with stoa stalls.	Joshkun, in casual mode.	Remains of Heracles Gate and  Memmius Monument.	Rich decoration.	Figures were added to this fountain.	Another example.
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Marble pillar.	Descent to the lower agora	The detailing of sandals.	A Corinthian column.	Trajan Fountain.	This photograph is poetic.
Main arch of Hadrian Temple.	The left side friesze.	Various palaces.	In front is the Celsus Library, completed in 135 A.D., on the left  a fountain and Hadrian's Gate.	The Library; on the right is the Mazeu-Mithradates Gates, named after freed slaves of Augustus.	Sophia, for wisdom.
Arete, for valor.	Ennoia, for intelligence.	Episteme, for knowledge.	The Harbor road is seen beyond the commercial agora.	Marble Street, which leads to the sports area: the Great Theater, the gymnasium, and arena.	The Great Theater [Wiki photo] I did not walk beyond the Library because of the high heat and sciatic leg pain.
		After Ephesus, we traveled on to Foça.    Music: Su Köycegiz Yollari [Selim Sesler / Oglan Bizim Kiz Bizim / Doublemoon:]: 3 min excerpt
Mercury, god of commerce and communication.	Nike, Winged Victory.		Foça is a port on the Aegean.	We arrive just before sunset.	Classic colorful boat scene.
Restaurants line the waterfront.	A pleasant evening approaches.	The Romani band plays for us at dinner.	Of course, Yuval joins in, and all are pleased with the jam session.	Jeff buys roses for all the women. Sweet!
© 2011 Debra Jan Bibel		Return to Index	On to Foça		Appendix: Food