EPHESUS

Ephesus, the temple of Artemis, is one 1) ................. . The city is dedicated to the Goddess Artemis and has many fascinating buildings such as the Celsus Library. The precise date of the city’s foundation is not known, but legend says that the first Ephesus was founded 2) ................. . Later, it was inhabited by Aeolians in the 11th century BC, after the first settlement of Anatolian natives, Lelegians. Ephesus was ruled by the Lydian king, Kreisos, in the mid 6 BC. The city reached the “Golden Age” and became 3) ................. . Ephesus was very prosperous during the times of Alexander the Great. Until the arrival of Alexander the Great, Ephesus had consisted of two governing systems, democratic and oligarchic. But the oligarchic system was violated with the coming of a new ruler, and a rebellion happened in Ephesus.

The city still keeps its importance, but now as one of the most important archaeological and historical cities in Turkey. The size of the ancient site is huge. It takes two days to see the whole archaeological site. One of the most amazing sites in Ephesus is its huge amphitheatre which has 4) ................. .

Selcuk is very close to Ephesus and is crowned with a Byzantium citadel and the Basilica of St. John. Next to the basilica is the Seljuk Isa Bey mosque. The Seven Sleepers Cave is 5) ................. . The Archaeological museum is significant with its striking collection of items gathered from excavations in Ephesus. The house of Virgin Mary is very close to Ephesus by distance and that is the place where she spent her last days.