Ephesus, located in present-day Turkey, was an ancient Greek city that later became a major Roman city. It lies near the modern town of Selcuk in Izmir Province. Ephesus was founded in the 10th century BC by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists and flourished after it came under Roman control in 129 BC. It was famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which attracted pilgrims from across the Mediterranean. The city's importance as a commercial centre declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the river Cayster. Ephesus boasts a plethora of significant historical monuments including the Library of Celsus, a two-story structure that once held nearly 12,000 scrolls, and the Great Theatre, which could seat 25,000 spectators. Excavations have revealed grand terraced houses with beautiful mosaics and frescoes, giving insights into the daily life of its ancient inhabitants. Ephesus is also significant for Christians; it is believed that the Gospel of John may have been written here, and it was one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation.
