Ephesus in Turkey, a photo from Aydin, Aegean

Photographer's Note

Ephesus, the Library of Celsius, the Forum and the Harbour

When I saw Ephesus for the first time, in 1968, I had a kind of cultural shock. What I had been taught in books or by teachers about the world of Antiquity was suddenly there. I could see it; I could touch it.
When I returned to that place in 1991 the emotion was still there. The importance of that commercial, intellectual and spiritual centre was still more clearly visible. The Artemis temple had stood there. There was the Library of Celsius. There were references to the Greeks, the Romans, Saint Paul, the first Christians, etc...
2000 years ago the sea used to bring all sorts of vessels directly into the harbour visible in this photograph, as our Turkish guide, who was also a good narrator and a poet, let us imagine.
We could contemplate the whole town, the Library, the Forum, the ships and the sea not very far.
We could hear the people talk in Greek, Latin and other languages of that time.
Through the years the sea had gradually receded 3 or 4 miles away and Ephesus had been forgotten for a long time.
Now it is one of the most important archaelogical sites in Modern Turkey.

To know more about Ephesus

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batalay (32864) 2006-11-20 4:06

Hello Henry,

Excellent note to accompany a very good image of Ephesus. In 1992 when you took this photo, there was probably a covered enclosure to your left. Last summer on August 1, I was there and the enclosure was open to the public (for a fee of course), but some of the new excavations were extraordinary — mosaics and frescoes laid bare, cascade of homes of the ancient wealthy,... I hope you do get back to see the site. Warm regards, Bulent

toto (0) 2006-11-20 6:35

belle photo,la sorte de bambou en haut a droite donne un plus à la photo,l' explication aussi.Thomas

stego (22556) 2006-11-20 19:37

Hello Henry.
Very nice capture of that amazing historical site. If it wasn't for the cropped library, it would be a very nice postcard. This is actually a compliment, I find interesting how the image reminds a postcard but its POV is more imaginative than that. You managed to put it very well in context - one can see part of the ruins, notably the library and what used to be the portuary district (correct me if I am wrong) and the hills bordering the sea on the distance. You were lucky with the sky also.
The negative efects of the scan are noticeable (I bet that the original is much more striking), but they are far from ruinous and give a nice antique mood. Colors are great.
As yourself, I was also very amazed with the place when I was there. We can read and view many things about a place that was so important to Western and Mid East history and culture, but visiting it is an unique experience!
My son, who was 6 years old then, also enjoyed the visit very much, specially for the latrines (:-). Interestingly, a while ago when I showed him your post, he was able to remember that they are more or less on the place where you did the shot.
Salut, TFS.

dojym (0) 2006-11-22 10:55 [Comment]