Ephesus: This Way to the Brothel

After starting our day at the Tire market, we motored to a couple Roman ruins (3rd & 4th century B.C.) our plan was to see Ephesus (Efes) tomorrow but we still had an hour before they closed the entry gates; can wander the ruins for a few hours after closing time. We hired a tour guide -- really the only way to explore the ancient city. The Austrian Archeological Society began excavation in late 1890s and stumbled upon a massive city. Only 15% has been uncovered so far.

The first significant structure ın Efes ıs the imperial bathhouse. 

According to our tour guide, the main roads, of which there are three, were lined with beautifully carved columns depicting herorics or images of the Emperor.









Many of the fountains and arches erected as honorifics to the rulers from the 4th century BC to 7th century AD were defaced by the early Christians.  Marble was stolen to build churches - which were later converted into mosques when the Ottomans conquered Persia.  The archeologists and Turkish government wanted to open the site to visitors quickly so they literally slapped together ruins without much thought to accurate representation.  Here you can see the concrete used to paste together ruins that don´t actually belong together, nor is the fountain arch the height it ought to be.

Original water pipes.  The Greeks and Romans had extensive fresh water systems throughout Efes.  Most of the system remains intact.

 Nıke goddess of victory

Main road to the harbor.  Aegean ın the far background.











The sidewalks in front of the wealthy families homes were tiled, not merely marble capped cobblestone.  Two remenants of tilework.

The records say a wealthy woman, Scholastıca, rebuilt the publıc toilets and a second bathhouse.  Rumor has it she gained her wealth from runnıng a brothel.  Below the entry to the bathhouse, followed by the public toilets.

 

Celsus lıbrary at the bend in the main road to the harbor.  This library is the youngest of the three major libraries in the Roman Empire period.

The facade of the Celsus lıbrary.

Tomb of Cleopatra´s sister.  Legend has it she was murdered in Efes.  However, there is no documented proof.  All we know for sure is she died and is buried ın this tomb.

 

Christian graffitti from the 1st century AD

Jewish graffıttı on the steps of the Celsus Library (4th century AD)

 

Mıle markers:  2 fine examples below.  Efes was at the end of the Silk Road and as such was more interested in culture and commerce.  They relıed heavily on the largess of the Emperor to provide protection.  Thus all the statutes and arches dedicated to the rulers.  They also carved honorifics to the current ruler on the mile markers.  When a new emperor came to the throne, Efes flıpped the mile marker over and recarved wıth the name of the new emperor.

Ah, yes...the brothel.  Here it is.  And how do we know this is the site?

According to our tour guide, thıs inscription on a marble slab on the side of the road leading up from the harbor points the way.  The foot points ın the direction up the road.  There is a cross just over the foot indicating that the brothel is at the next cross roads on the left.  Furthermore, the dotted triangle says  you need money for the services provided.  True?  We don´t know, but it´s a fun story.