Ephesus: The Largest Roman City in Turkey
Ephesus, a ancient Greek city, was the largest Roman city in Turkey, leaving behind the largest ruin in the region. The city was not conquered by Rome but was gifted to it as a gift in a will.
Ephesus was a key economic hub between East and West, with the Royal Road connecting it to the east and its harbor providing direct access to the Mediterranean trade network.
The city flourished under the Romans, with a population of up to 250,000, making it one of the largest cities in the empire.
Monuments in the city include the Odeon, a small theater; Curetes Street, a shopping street lined with shops and temples; the Library of Celsus, a world-class library containing 12,000 scrolls; and the Agora, or marketplace, which was the center of civic and commercial life.
Other notable landmarks include the Great Theater, built into the hillside and capable of holding up to 25,000 people, and the Hippodrome, or stadium, which hosted chariot races and gladiatorial fights.
The city’s strategic location and wealth made it a prized possession of the Roman Empire.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Agora | A marketplace or public square in an ancient Greek city, often the center of civic and commercial life. | The agora in Ephesus was the heart of the city, bustling with merchants, citizens, and travelers. |
| Curetes Street | A shopping street in ancient Ephesus, lined with shops and temples. | Curetes Street was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a variety of goods and services. |
| Great Theater | A large outdoor theater in ancient Ephesus, built into the hillside and capable of holding up to 25,000 people. | The Great Theater in Ephesus hosted numerous performances, including concerts, plays, and public speeches. |
| Hippodrome | A stadium in ancient Ephesus, used for chariot races and gladiatorial fights. | The Hippodrome in Ephesus was a popular venue for public entertainment, attracting large crowds of spectators. |
| Library of Celsus | A world-class library in ancient Ephesus, containing 12,000 scrolls. | The Library of Celsus was a renowned center of learning and culture, attracting scholars and intellectuals from across the empire. |
| Odeon | A small theater in ancient Ephesus, used for concerts, plays, and other performances. | The Odeon in Ephesus was a popular venue for cultural events, hosting a variety of performances throughout the year. |
| Royal Road | A major trade route in ancient Ephesus, connecting the city to the east and facilitating trade with other regions. | The Royal Road played a crucial role in Ephesus’ economic prosperity, enabling the city to become a key hub of trade and commerce. |
| Scroll | A rolled-up piece of papyrus or parchment, used for writing and storing written texts in ancient times. | The Library of Celsus in Ephesus contained over 12,000 scrolls, making it one of the largest collections of written texts in the ancient world. |
| Temple | A building dedicated to a particular deity or group of deities in ancient times, often used for worship and sacrifice. | The temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, attracting pilgrims and tourists from across the empire. |
| Will | A written document in which a person specifies how their property is to be distributed after their death. | Ephesus was gifted to the Romans in a will, becoming a prized possession of the empire and a key center of trade and commerce. |
| World-class | Of the highest quality or standard, considered to be among the best in the world. | The Library of Celsus in Ephesus was a world-class institution, renowned for its vast collection of scrolls and its reputation for learning and culture. |
Vocabulary Quiz
Test your understanding of the vocabulary from the text.
1. What does “conquered” mean in the context of the text?
- A. Given as a gift
- B. Taken over by force
- C. Bought from a neighboring city
- D. Destroyed completely
2. What is a “hub” in the context of the text?
- A. A type of ancient Roman building
- B. A city that is a center of economic activity
- C. A type of ancient Roman road
- D. A type of ancient Roman library
3. What is the “Agora” in the context of the text?
- A. A type of ancient Roman theater
- B. A marketplace and center of civic and commercial life
- C. A type of ancient Roman library
- D. A type of ancient Roman road
4. What is the “Hippodrome” in the context of the text?
- A. A type of ancient Roman stadium
- B. A type of ancient Roman library
- C. A type of ancient Roman theater
- D. A marketplace and center of civic and commercial life
5. What is the meaning of “prized possession” in the context of the text?
- A. Something that is worthless and unwanted
- B. Something that is valuable and highly sought after
- C. Something that is given away easily
- D. Something that is difficult to obtain
Answer Key:
- 1. B. Taken over by force
- 2. B. A city that is a center of economic activity
- 3. B. A marketplace and center of civic and commercial life
- 4. A. A type of ancient Roman stadium
- 5. B. Something that is valuable and highly sought after
The Use of the Past Perfect Tense
| The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is often used to show cause and effect or to describe a sequence of events. In the text, the past perfect tense is used to describe the actions that occurred before the Roman Empire took possession of Ephesus. |
|---|
Quiz Time!
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. The city of Ephesus ____________________ a gift to Rome in a will.
A) was given
B) was being given
C) had been given
D) has been given
2. By the time the Romans took possession of Ephesus, the city ____________________ a key economic hub between East and West.
A) had become
B) was becoming
C) became
D) has become
3. The city of Ephesus ____________________ under the Romans, with a population of up to 250,000.
A) flourished
B) was flourishing
C) had flourished
D) has flourished
4. The Library of Celsus ____________________ a world-class library containing 12,000 scrolls.
A) was
B) were
C) had been
D) has been
5. The city’s strategic location and wealth ____________________ it a prized possession of the Roman Empire.
A) made
B) were making
C) had made
D) has made
Answer Key
1. C) had been given
2. A) had become
3. A) flourished
4. A) was
5. A) made
