Where is Biblical Ephesus Today?

Where ancient ephesus today is one of the curious topics regarding the biblical ephesus today. The first evidence of Ephesus was found in Catalici Hoyuk during the early Chalcolithic period, late 7th millennium BC. Since then, Amazons, Carians, Lelegians, Romans,Lydians, Ionians, and Turks have lived in Ephesus. Apasa, the capital of the Luwian Kingdom of Arzawa (16th–13th BC), was associated with the Biblical City of Ephesus. Its name was changed to Ephesus by Greeks, and it was also used by the Roman Empire.

Androclos, the son of a legendary Attic king, is mentioned in Ephesus’ state ideology. Androclos, according to legend, determines not to fight his brothers after his father’s death and instead establishes a new city. He first went to Delphi Temple to ask the oracle where the best location for a new city would be; the response was that a fish and a wild boar would identify the location. Androclos sails through the Aegean Sea without knowing the oracle. When he lands and cooks a fish, the fire spreads to the surrounding forest, scaring a wild boar. He kills a wild boar while riding after it on his horse, then realizes he has discovered the location of a new settlement and the biblical city of ephesus is found.

Population of Ephesus in Biblical Times

In Roman times, Pergamum was the capital of the province of Asia, but Ephesus in biblical times, with a population of 300,000, was the region’s largest city. Ephesus is now situated in the Cayster River valley, about eight to eleven kilometers away from the Aegean Sea. Ephesus ancient city was the most advantageous seaport in Asia because of its often silted harbor.

Biblical Significance of Ephesus

What was the significance of Ephesus for early Christianity? 

Paul’s famous “sermon” on the Areopagus was delivered in Athens, according to the New Testament (Mars Hill, Acts 17:22ff). However, Ephesus is widely considered to be one of the most important cities in early Christianity. In this race, Jerusalem is likely to come out on top, but Ephesus and Antioch are a near second and third, respectively.

This was due to the city’s importance in the first century, as well as its central position along Asia Minor’s coast (modern day Turkey). Ephesus, moreover, attracted a number of prominent Christian figures, including Paul, John, and Timothy. Ephesus claims to be the final resting place of Mary, Jesus’ mother, though historical evidence is mixed at best.

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