The 'Burbs
In the old days, Ephesus was the provincial capital of Asia Minor and home to the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Locals hold that St. John the Evangelist brought the Virgin Mary here to escape persecution and live out her days, that Antony and Cleopatra had their honeymoon here after marrying in Antioch and that the folks who lived here were the Ephesians to whom St. Paul wrote his Letter. It also has a less noble heritage, being the Vegas of Asia Minor from what I heard on the tour. It was one of three cities in the ancient world kept lit 24 hours a day and was as famous for its brothel as for its temples, baths and library.This photo is taken at the "top" (eastern) end of Ephesus, just outside the Odeon (a small theater). We started our tour here and worked our way to the city center where the library, brothel, up-scale agora and big ampitheater were. Some people did the tour in the opposite direction but it seems to me that such an approach would progress toward less impressive remains. I definitely liked our direction.