Ephesus

Looking out over the ruins at Ephesus

The ruins at Epehesus are amazing.  It doesn't take long to understand the layout of the city and to picture everyday life thousands of years ago.  Ephesus has a government sector, library, public latrines, and a couple of theaters.  Two main streets are flanked by the agora (shopping area), houses of the wealthy residents, and even a brothel.  It feels familiar because our cities today aren't so different from Ephesus, although we do use a lot less marble! 

David in front of the Library of Celcus at Ephesus

Sara seated at the theater in Ephesus

The theater was the main gathering spot in town and after several renovations over hundreds of years it was able to seat up to 25,000 people.  St. Paul gave a sermon in the theater denouncing the paganism of the Ephesians.

We were treated to several impromptu performances while seated in the theater.  First a young girl sang.  She was excellent and the acoustics are phenomenal.  Then a young man started singing.  First he sang "The Impossible Dream."  There were about 50 of us listening and everyone clapped when he finished and several people urged him to sing another song, which he did -- a beautiful version of "Ave Maria."  It was a very fitting song since Mary is believed to have traveled to Ephesus and lived her final years at a house in the area.   
 

Curetes Street in Ephesus - one of the main streets of the ancient city