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.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 14, 2021 at 3:35 PM

    Cable, the library is impressive in today's setting as well as imagining it long ago...thanks for your stories, comments and explanations--glad you and Scott are having a good trip.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susan L.November 14, 2021 at 8:35 PM

    During the pandemic I did a Beth Moore Bible study on John, the Beloved. It's hard to believe you are seeing these ancient places from history on this side of the stories. At least, that's how I felt when we visited Israel two years ago.
    So glad you've had such delightful sight-seeing weather. SSL

    ReplyDelete
  3. ElizabethNovember 15, 2021 at 4:35 AM

    I keep thinking I need to reread Acts and the epistles again now that I’ve visited these places!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nanette ChristoffersonNovember 15, 2021 at 4:09 PM

    Stunning pictures! The ancient ruins are incredible and of course I encourage you to re-read Acts and the Epistles again! :)

    ReplyDelete

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