Ephesus

Ephesus, an ancient city of Lydia in Asia Minor, on the south side and near the mouth of the Caystrus. It was one of the twelve Ionian cities, and, having a good and extensive harbour, was a renowned market of the ancient world. It passed successively into the power of Lydia and of Persia. The temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the world, being of Ionic architecture, 425 feet long, with a breadth of 220 feet, and having 127 pillars, 60 feet in height. This temple was several times destroyed, once in 356 burnt by a vanity-stricken maniac or joker, Herostratus, who hoped thereby to perpetuate his name. St. Paul founded a church here, and we read in the Acts of the Apostles of the riot made by those "who wrought silver shrines for Diana," and how the whole mob cried for three hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" The site is now occupied by a village of peasants, Ayasuluk, and is near a station on the Ottoman railway. Important excavations by Mr. J. T. Wood have revealed much.