More Ancient Cities: Ephesus, Lindos, and Rhodes

On Saturday, we visited the site of the ancient Turkish city of Ephesus, and today (Sunday) we docked in Rhodes, on the Greek island of Rhodes.  We went on an excursion to the town of Lindos and then explored the Old Town of Rhodes. 

Ephesus was once a mighty seaport, one of the largest cities of the ancient Mediterranean world.  Excavations have dated remains of structures built there as far back as the tenth century BC.  Ephesus once housed the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  

The library (lit beautifully by the morning sun) was one of the most impressive in the ancient world and scholars came here to study, read, and debate.


Paul and John brought Christianity to Ephesus, and suffered imprisonment and death for their efforts.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, is thought to have come to Ephesus with John, and the first church dedicated to her was erected in Ephesus. The tetras-style stones in the distance are what remains of the Church of Mary.

A major road ran through the center of town.  Anthony and Cleopatra were said to have walked hand-in-hand here.  The theatre was part of the gymnasium (boys' school).
Silt carried by rivers filled in the port so that Ephesus was moved inland and lost its position as a port city.  Now the port is eight kilometers away at Kusadasi, a thriving town of about 150,000 people.  Ephesus is now an active archaeological excavation site, but no one lives there.


We sailed into the port of Rhodes as the sun was rising.

We learned that the city-state of Lindos was once the strongest naval power on the island of Rhodes.  After three such city-states joined together in common defense, the administrative center of the island moved to the port of Rhodes.  Both cities are still alive but Lindos is much smaller, and Rhodes has been surrounded by the newer city of Rodos.  



Here are some photos from  our visit to Lindos.  The first shows the acropolis above the city of Lindos








A view of the Mediterranean Ocean from the top of the Lindos acropolis.

For eight euros you can take a "Lindos taxi" up to the acropolis.

The streets of Lindos are paved and decorated with pebbles.




A goat herd watches us leave Lindos.

Welcome to my world! There are so many things to be interested in, to learn, and to experience. I enjoy cooking and am happy to share recipes that I like. I also love exploring the world--from my backyard to far-flung parts of the globe, And I love both reading and writing. As an undergraduate I took full advantage of my liberal arts education, but eventually had to find a career path. I chose educational psychology and had a rewarding career as a professor, college administrator, and school psychologist. In retirement I am rediscovering the world of ideas--the heart of a liberal arts education. I invite you to share my journey of exploration.

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