Tales of Ephesus Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mycenaeans

Excavations have revealed that the area of Ephesus was inhabited in approximately 6000 BC during the Neolithic Age. A burial ground, which dates to Mycenaean settlement, has been found near the Basilica of St. John, which was constructed by Justinian I during the Byzantine era. According to one legend, Androklos, a prince of Athens, was the legendary founder of the city; another claims the city was founded by Ephos, who was queen of the Amazons.

It was during the Greek colonization period in the 10th century BC that Ephesus began to grow and prosper, becoming one of the twelve cities in the Ionian League.

Answer: Croesus

There is evidence that the Temple of Artemis was rebuilt several times in its history. Pausanias, a Greek geographer, claimed the structure was first built by Ephesus, the son of Caystrus, the river god, before the Greek period of colonization. The structure had been destroyed by a flood. Croesus not only provided money for rebuilding the structure, but also is believed to have united the different settlements of people who lived in the area, and relocated them in the area around the great temple. One of the columns of the temple displayed his signature; it can be seen today at the British Museum.

Answer: Persian Empire

When the Persians invaded Lydia, the city of Ephesus refused the peace offer extended by Cyrus the Great. Consequently, Ephesus was conquered by the Persians in 547 BC. The city prospered under Persian rule, but objected to the higher taxes demanded by later rulers, such as Darius the Great.

After joining the Delian League of Athens, the city successfully revolted against the Persians, but once again became part of the Persian Empire after siding with Sparta at the end of the Peloponnesian War.

Answer: She was attending to the birth of Alexander the Great.

There has been a long-standing belief that the burning of the temple coincided with the birth of Alexander the Great on approximately July 20 or 21, 356 BC. It was forbidden to mention the name of the arsonist, Herostratus. However, it was later noted.

After Alexander defeated the Persians, Ephesus was liberated. When he visited the city, he volunteered to finance the rebuilding of the temple, but the people refused, telling him that one god couldn't build the temple of another. The reconstruction of the temple held for six hundred years, until the city was invaded by the Goths in 286 AD, after which many of the stones were used for other buildings, even as far away as Constantinople.

Answer: Seleucus

While on his death bed, Alexander was asked to name a successor. His famous reply "To the strongest!" gave his generals permission to battle, and the power struggle lasted for twenty-five years. One of his generals, Lysimachus, ruled Ephesus for a short time.

However, after his death it ultimately became part of the Seleucid Empire. Ptolemy seized Egypt, and began the famous dynasty that ended with Cleopatra's death; Antigonus controlled Greece and Macedonia. Ephesus eventually was seized by Pharaoh Ptolemy III of Egypt; after that it became part of the territory held by the Roman Republic.

Answer: True

Augustus choose Ephesus as the capital of the province of Asia, instead of Pergamum. During this time Ephesus became an important seat of government as well as an important trade center. While it was believed that Ephesus had a population of 225,000 people at this time, modern archaeologists believe that it more likely had a population of 138,000-172,500. If so, it would have been the third largest Roman city in Asia Minor, behind Sardis and Alexandria Troas.

The Romans undertook extensive building projects that included the Library of Celsus, an amphitheater, bath houses, and aqueducts; in 263 the city was destroyed by the Goths.

Answer: True

For a time, Ephesus was the second most important Asian city of the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople; much of the city was rebuilt by Constantine, and Byzantine emperors added structures as well; it was, however, hit by an earthquake in 614 that partially destroyed the city.

The harbor of the city had periodically been dredged throughout its history, but it was closed during the Byzantine era. People used stones for other buildings, and even moved out of the city. It was sacked by Arabs repeatedly, beginning in 654, and by the time it was taken by the Seljuk Turks in 1090 it was nothing more than a small village.

The Byzantine Empire regained control of Ephesus shortly after, and it remained part of the empire until 1308.

Answer: Isa Bey Mosque

Many of the inhabitants of Ephesus were either massacred or deported by a Turkish warlord named Sasa Bey in 1304. Shortly after it did experience a brief period of prosperity when given to new Seljuk rulers. The Isa Bey Mosque was built at the site, along with Turkish baths.

It is considered to be one of the oldest and most impressive architectural works remaining of the small Turkish beyliks, or kingdoms, that existed in Anatolia.

Answer: Ottoman Empire

In 1390 Ephesus became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. After the Ottoman defeat by Tamerlane, Ephesus was again ruled by Turkish beyliks until it was reincorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1425. Shortly after, the site was completely abandoned.

Answer: Seven Sleepers

Around 250, the Roman emperor Decius ordered that those who did not worship the pagan gods would be persecuted. Even though the seven young men were given time to recant their Christian faith, they gave away all their possessions and retired to the cave to pray. Decius ordered the entrance to the cave to be sealed. Several years passed. Rome adopted Christianity as its state religion.

A landowner opened the cave, to find the seven young men still sleeping. They awoke to find the people in Ephesus practising Christianity.

A church was built over the cave, and the area used as a cemetery. Muslims also believe the story as it was told by Mohammed and written in the Qur'an.