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I've just finished reading a Christian triology called The Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers. It takes place in Rome and Ephesus about 20 years after the death of Christ when Christianity was considered a cult and people were just beginning to spread the word and convert. A time when the Roman games were in full swing and Christians were regularly sent into the arena to be devoured by the lions. A few years ago, I went on a Mediterranean cruise and I highly recommend this to anyone who has been considering it. It was the best vacation we've ever been on. One of the places we visited was Ephesus.
After the death of Christ, John the Apostle took Mary (Jesus' mother) to Ephesus and she lived out the rest of her days here in this little house. It is in a beautiful shady hillside. Quiet and cool.
We then headed down the hillside by bus to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the largest shipping ports in the Mediterranean and it had to be moved at least 3 times due to the debris from the river filling in the area and causing malaria. This area had small narrow streets (to our standards) and the buildings were all marble and filled with beautiful homes and businesses. Statues were everywhere.
This is a view of the Library from the top of one of the main passages. It was about 100 degrees on this day and the place was packed with people from various cruise ships. We went in August, but if you go in May or Sept. the weather is nicer and there are not as many people.
A closer look at the Library. It is beautiful like this, but just imagine it covered in marble. They were filming a commercial and that is what the silver screens are for at the bottom of the picture.
After the death of Christ, John the Apostle took Mary (Jesus' mother) to Ephesus and she lived out the rest of her days here in this little house. It is in a beautiful shady hillside. Quiet and cool.
We then headed down the hillside by bus to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the largest shipping ports in the Mediterranean and it had to be moved at least 3 times due to the debris from the river filling in the area and causing malaria. This area had small narrow streets (to our standards) and the buildings were all marble and filled with beautiful homes and businesses. Statues were everywhere.
This is a view of the Library from the top of one of the main passages. It was about 100 degrees on this day and the place was packed with people from various cruise ships. We went in August, but if you go in May or Sept. the weather is nicer and there are not as many people.
A closer look at the Library. It is beautiful like this, but just imagine it covered in marble. They were filming a commercial and that is what the silver screens are for at the bottom of the picture. 
Every day the Roman men would go to the gymnasium and the baths. The people would go the community toilets and get the latest gossip. Sometimes staying hours. Can you imagine? 
This is the theatre where the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians, upsetting the idol maker and leading to Paul's arrest. John was also in Ephesus for a couple of years. It was a fascinating tour, to see the Bible come alive, I was not disappointed.
