The Basilica, Ephesus

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selcuk, within the Province of Izmir, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek Period. In Roman Times, circa the 1st Century BC, Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 citizens, making it the second largest city in the world. Destroyed by the Goths in 263 AD, Ephesus still remained an important city during the Byzantine period. The Basilica was built upon the State Agora's 160-meter long northern stoa. It was transformed into a Basilica during the late Augustus period (circa 1-14 AD). Flanked by the Odeon and the Sate Agora itself, the Basilica had a wooden roof and three naves separated by two rows of Ionic columns, mounted by bull-head busts. Later, circa 3rd-4th centuries AD, the column capitals were replaced by Corinthian ones. The Basilica could be entered from the east, via three portals. Statues of Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia were found within the Basilica. The Basilica was a trade and commerce centre, where merchants exchanged goods and bankers exchanged money.