SPECIAL TOPIC: EPHESUS

This was a large commercial city in western Asia Minor. After the harbor at
Miletus was destroyed by silt from the Maeander River, the commercial trade
moved up the coast to Ephesus, which also had a natural harbor. By the NT period
the best days of Ephesus had passed. It was still a large and influential city,
but nothing like its past glory.

1. It was the largest city of the Roman province of Asia Minor. It was not
the capital, though the Roman governor lived there. It was a commercial center
because of it excellent natural harbor.

2. It was a free city, which allowed it to have local government and much
freedom, including no garrison of Roman soldiers.

3. It was the only city which was allowed to hold the bi-annual Asian games.

4. It was the site of the Temple to Artemis (Diana in Latin), which was one
of the seven wonders of the world of its day. It was 425′ x 220′ with 127
columns, which were 60′ tall; 86 of them were overlaid with gold (see Pliny’s
Hist. Nat. 36:95ff). The image of Artemis was thought to have been a meteor
which resembled a many-breasted female figure. This meant that there were many
cultic prostitutes present in the city (cf. Acts 19). It was a very immoral,
multi- cultural city.

5. Paul stayed in this city more than three years (cf. Acts 18:18ff; 20:13).

6. Tradition asserts that it became John’s home after Mary’ death in
Palestine.