John Turtle Wood
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 30
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. Historical Sketch Of Ephesus. The ancient city of Ephesus was situated on the river Cayster, which falls into the bay of Scala Nova on the western coast of Asia Minor. The traditional birthplace of the goddess Diana was in the Ephesian territory, and is described by Strabo as a thick wood, through which ran the river Cenchrius, near to which there was a mountain called Solmissus. The wood, the river, and the mountain were most probably in the immediate vicinity of the site which was afterwards selected for the temple dedicated to Diana, and which has now been located to the north-east of the city, and nearly a mile from the nearest gate. A city of more or less importance had probably existed in the Ephesian territory for several centuries, before Androclus, the Athenian, with his followers, came and settled there, and thus founded one of the twelve cities of the Ionian Confederation, B.C. 1044. The Dorian migration dates back to a period sixty years earlier. According to Herodotus, they colonized the western coast of Asia Minor, and probably settled as far north as Ephesus. Pausanias tells us that Androclus drove out of the country the Lydians and others who dwelt in the upper city, but he suffered those who resided about the temple to remain undisturbed upon their swearing allegiance to him as king. History does not inform us who built the temple here alluded to, nor what kind of building it was. Androclus appears to have had the energy and courage necessary at that time to maintain his rights, and he doubtless did much to increase the importance of the city, and to extend the worship of the goddess Diana. He also conquered Samos, and the neighbouring islands, but eventually fell in an engagement wherein he assisted the...