Walking the streets of the ancient city of Ephesus. (by Tom)

While it took some imagination, we experienced the actual streets of the ancient City of Ephesus in the best-preserved archeological site from Roman times. While other archeological sites I have visited consisted of one or two rediscovered buildings in the space of an acre or two, Ephesus is a rediscovered City; the entire site is at least 20 acres and a square half-mile. We entered through the area where one of the old gates would have been located and were led by our guide through the layout of the City, which was a major City on the Aegean Sea. We walked through the sites of where the legislature met, through the bath houses, through the temples and the marketplace and through sites where houses located on Ephesus “main street” were once located (the sidewalks of the residences with the most amazing tile mosaic floor I have ever seen—the head of some archeologist must have been spinning when it was discovered). The highlights of the site are the ancient library (picture attached) and the stunning ancient amphitheater, where the Apostle Paul preached. This amphitheater seats 30,000 and is still used for concerts.The City was abandoned some time around 500 AD following a major earthquake,was eventually lost to the ages, only to be rediscovered in the late 19^th Century. It was exciting to imagine a vibrant city on this site, which is now ancient ruins.