A 20-day trip to Egypt and Turkey (16)

Ephesians

On the thirteenth day, we woke up in the morning light of the Aegean Sea .

The Aegean Sea is the sea of ??love.

A father drowned himself in the sea to grieve the death of his son.

The Aegean was originally the king of the Greek city-state Athens. Because the son of King Minos, ruler of Crete and son of Zeus and Europa, was killed in Athens, Minos appealed to his father Zeus to send a plague to Athens. The Athenians were forced to agree to Minos' conditions: seven pairs of boys and girls every nine years. It turns out that Pasiphae, Queen of Minos, gave birth to a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a bull, the Minotaur. This half-man, half-ox monster did not eat other kinds of food but only human flesh. Minos locked him in a labyrinth designed and built by Daedalus, the famous architect of Athens. These seven pairs of boys and girls were food given to the monster Minotaur. When it came time to give away boys and girls for the third time, Prince Theseus, the son of Aegean, volunteered to be a sacrifice, entering the palace to wait for an opportunity to kill monsters and eliminate harm for the people. Every ship carrying boys and girls has a black sail. Before Theseus set off, he made an agreement with his father that if he won, the ship would hoist white sails when it returned. If the black sail hung when setting off does not change, it means he failed and died.

When Theseus arrived at the palace of Minos, the princess Ariadne fell in love with him at first sight. The princess gave him a ball of thread and a magic sword and asked him to tie the thread at the entrance and let out the thread. Entering the labyrinth, Theseus found the Minotaur deep in the labyrinth. After a desperate struggle, he finally killed the Minotaur.

Theseus returned to Athens with Princess Ariadne, who loved him deeply. On the way, the goddess of fate asked Theseus to abandon her on an isolated island because she had abandoned Ariadne. Princess Nirvana was designated as the wife of Dionysus, the god of wine. When Theseus returned, he was so overwhelmed by the joy of victory that he forgot to replace the black sails on the ship. As a result, his father, who was standing on the seaside watching his return, saw the black sails on the return ship and thought his son was dead. , he threw himself into the sea and died in grief. In order to commemorate the Aegean, later generations called this sea the Aegean Sea.

The Aegean Sea is a sea of ??songs.

The singing of the sirens in the sea makes many people not even care about death, but they want to hear the seductive singing of the banshee.

The Aegean Sea is a sea of ??temptation.

The fruits of Wangyou Island, the songs of the sirens, and the love of Calypso will make people linger and bewilder them for life.

Are those people who go out to sea in boats, music fans who go to listen to the songs of sirens?

But we can’t go looking for the mythical song that is so beautiful that it can drive people crazy. Instead, we have to go to our real travel destination: Kusadasi, a resort on the Aegean Sea, to explore the magical The ancient city of Ephesus.

On the way, the tour guide and assistant tour guide sang the very nice Turkish song "Baghdati" for everyone. The tour guide Ada was very into the song and sang it very emotionally.

This area is rich in peaches and mangoes, and there are orchards along the roadside. The lyrics and artistic conception of the foreign folk song "Return to Sorrento" that I used to love to sing came to my mind: Look at how beautiful the ocean is and what an exciting mood it is. Look at the beauty of nature, how intoxicating it is.

"Look at the orchards on the hillside, covered with golden mandarin oranges, full of fragrance and warmth everywhere."

Ada's lingering singing voice echoed in my ears, Although the two songs have similar emotions, it is a pity that Ida and Ida do not understand each other in the same language. The sadness in "Return to Sorrento" always comes to mind: But you said goodbye to me, bid farewell to your relatives forever, left your hometown forever, you Do you really have the heart not to come back?

Ada was in a high mood today. After singing, she put her fingers in her mouth and whistled. After blowing the whistle, she danced in the narrow carriage space to the accompaniment of Ali's lively mobile music "Ankara's Garden". Her whistles and lively and cheerful dance brought laughter to everyone during the journey.

Then, several of our group members were not to be outdone. With Ali’s encouragement, they stood up and sang. The journey was full of joy.

The aunt who was making pancakes at the rest stop rolled out a piece of pancake on a small table. She first used a large wooden spatula to scoop out the pancake baked on the stove, and then scooped out the rolled pancake. Into the furnace. There is a scent of freshly baked cakes.

After passing the rest stop, there are olive trees on the roadside, which is one of Türkiye’s specialties. Of course, it is also rich in olive oil and olive oil products, such as various soaps and cosmetics. Turkish olive oil production is second only to Spain in the world.

There is a castle on the top of a hill on the roadside, which is condescending and quite impressive. The tour guide said it was called Goat Castle and was built by the Seljuks.

Have lunch at noon in a small village very close to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Although the small hotel is not big, it is elegantly and beautifully decorated.

Flowers surround the house.

The wheels of an old cart are hung on the tree, which is quite down-to-earth.

The interior furnishings are not gorgeous, but simple and practical.

In the small courtyard, two local families gathered with their children to enjoy family time and have a good time.

A woman teaches discipline to their children (guess).

A group of children sat obediently along the stairs, giving me a chance to take pictures.

After lunch, I stood at the intersection leading to the ancient city of Ephesus, looking at the road ahead, full of thoughts.

This is where the Virgin Mary was born. The Virgin Mary and Saint John died here. Arsinoe, the sister of Cleopatra, took refuge here. Shakespeare When creating and adapting "The Comedy of Errors", the original location was specifically changed from a port city in Scandinavia to the mysterious ancient city of Ephesus. What is it like?

The tour guide Ada told us, but she did not understand Chinese, and the assistant tour guide and translator Xiao Ali did not know much about history, so we heard it vaguely. I had to learn and understand it myself.

The ruins of Ephesus are located 40 kilometers southeast of Izmir, close to the Aegean Sea. It is the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean.

The original site of the city is not here. Historical data says that the construction of the city began here in the 10th century BC. The Efosu monuments we see now are the third ancient city. The first was an important city in the kingdom of Lydia, which was later flooded. The second one was built in the 8th century BC by the Greeks who spoke the Ionian dialect on the Aegean Sea. Its earliest meaning was "the city of the mother goddess". Later, malaria broke out and many people died and became disabled. After Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Asia Minor, he moved the address to this current location, and then built the third Ephesus here, as well as a theater, a racetrack, and an arena. The Temple of Artemis in the city was once listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Ephesus also became an important natural port during the Alexander period and was once known as "the place where history meets the sea."

During the Roman era, Ephesus became the capital of the Roman Empire in Asia (Asia). It was the largest port city in the Roman period and an important commercial and trading city with a population of 250,000. Ephesus was a super prosperous cosmopolitan city in both ancient Greece and ancient Rome. It was known as "an immortal place where humans celebrate life," and "not Rome, but better than Rome."

This city has a theater that can accommodate 25,000 people, a library with 12,000 volumes of books, temples, marble streets (with countless statues beside the streets), street squares, large fountains, ancient Roman baths, public toilets, large shopping malls, hospitals, pharmacies, brothels, the living facilities are very complete. Its water supply system can be used by at least 66,000 people, and its underground heating and sewage facilities are almost perfect...

The current gate of the Ephesus ruins is the south gate of that year. It is easier to enter from here and walk down the slope, and you can see the buildings along the way more clearly.

The first bathroom is immediately after entering the city gate. It's called the Varius Bathhouse.

Every city built by the Romans on the seaside had three bathhouses. Officials, merchants and sailors coming from outside had to wash themselves in the bathhouses before entering the city center.

This is a water pipe from the Roman period, with both water supply and drainage pipes.

After leaving the bathroom, further inside is the city hall. Now there are only ruins.

In front of the city hall is Domitian Avenue, also called Roman Avenue. It is named after the Roman Emperor Domitian. When the emperor arrives or during major events or celebrations, the king will be lined with soldiers on both sides. They passed through the main road and reviewed the team on this road, so it was also called the Political Avenue.

The entire road is paved with marble and leads to the most famous Library of Celsus. The Marble Avenue has an unobstructed view.

The sidewalk next to Political Avenue is paved with colorful mosaic tiles. After more than two thousand years, the colors of these tiles are still very bright.

These are the lampposts on both sides of the avenue. It is said that when the street lamps above are lit at night to illuminate pedestrians, the entire avenue will be filled with light.

Ephesus is a paradise for cats. They can be seen everywhere in Ephesus. I don’t know what they do for a living, but their coats are smooth and graceful, and they look pampered. They often occupy beautiful marble carvings and sleep soundly as if no one else is around. They are not at all like the downtrodden stray cats in China.

Behind the city hall is the conference hall, which was built in the 2nd century AD and was funded by the noble Anthony couple. Initially it was used as a conference hall and later as a concert hall.

The conference hall originally had a roof, 23 rows of seats, and could accommodate 1,400 people. It is divided into three parts: audience area, performance area and office building. The marble seats showcase high-quality craftsmanship. The front office building appears to be a two-story structure with 5 entrances and exits. The middle entrance is taller and wider than the other 4. Because concerts and art performances are often held, it is customarily called a theater. The open space in the middle is the orchestra pit, which is the performance area.

While we were watching and taking photos on the steps of the conference hall, a group of Turks, whether they were a tour group or a group of relatives and friends, came here. We suggested that we take a photo together, and they immediately cheered enthusiastically and ran Come up to the steps and take a photo with us.

Turks have bold personalities, hearty laughter, and open and contagious voices.

There are not many opportunities like this. We are also in high spirits and bursting with laughter.

After the group photo was taken, people on both sides who were strangers waved goodbye. The voices of "byebye" kept coming and going. Those strange but friendly faces and this rare scene of friendship will remain in the memory of our hearts forever.

Looking back at the door from the conference hall.

Across the road from the conference hall is a place where delegates rest during the meeting.

The high platform in the distance is the Holy Fire Tower of the ancient city.

This is the place where the holy fire lamp is always lit in the city of Ephesus.

The sacred fire here has never been extinguished 24 hours a day and 365 days a year for centuries. All residents in the city must come here to get fire when they need it.

The holy fire symbolizes the eternal spirit of Ephesus (Ephesians believe that the holy fire represents the soul of Ephesus). If the holy fire goes out, Ephesus will perish, so the holy fire is guarded by someone.

Guarding the Holy Flame is a very honorable position and needs to be selected among the citizens.

Ephesus in April is also beautiful in spring.

There are many celebrity sculptures on both sides of the avenue to commemorate those who have contributed to the city. This is in memory of a doctor.

It is said that a plague broke out in Ephesus one year. He tried the medicine on himself and died of poisoning. He was a good doctor like Shen Nong.

The street where the doctor is located is lined with hospitals and pharmacies.

This is the hospital's logo. The pattern above is a scepter and a snake! It originates from the story of Aescolapius, who was revered by the ancient Greeks as the god of medicine and whose worship also involved the use of snakes.

This pattern became the source of the emblem of the "World Health Organization".

This is the pharmacy logo.

This majestic building with a triangular roof is the famous Trajan's Fountain. It is dedicated to Emperor Trajan, one of the Five Wise Emperors of Rome.

The building is about 12 meters high, 20 meters long and 10 meters wide. It is surrounded by stone pillars and statues. The remains of the fountain pool in front of the building still remain. The statue of Emperor Trajan once stood in the center of the pool. Now only one statue remains. foot. But judging from the remaining buildings, they are still very majestic.

Since the statue was built in the center of the pool, people bowed their heads to get water from the pool, as if they were bowing to the emperor.

Cretes Street, named after a local priest, is entirely paved with marble.

The famous Hercules Stone Gate on Critos Street, with a statue of Hercules carved on it. This gate is also the symbol that distinguishes the outer city from the inner city. The statues on the stone pillars, one symbolizes death and the other symbolizes life, which means that everything in the world is reciprocated and everything is the same. .

Man Mills Monument. Man Mills was the grandson of the dictator Sultan and an architect.

The Monument of Manmills is dedicated to the Roman dictator Sulla. The monument is engraved with praises in praise of Sulla. In 88 BC, the Greek kingdom of Pontus invaded Roman territory and killed 8,000 Romans. Sulla, the dictator of Rome at that time, led his troops to fight and eventually won, becoming a hero of the Romans.

On the hillside on the left side of the avenue are some noble mansions.

The gorgeous mosaic tiles laid on the ground inside are much more exquisite and luxurious than those on the sidewalk.

This is the ruins of Domitian Forum.

Domitian Forum was built by Emperor Domitian. Emperor Domitian reigned from 81 to 96 AD and implemented a tyrannical rule, enjoying great success. He built a lot of buildings, one of which was the Temple of Domitian in the square. Emperor Domitian was later assassinated, and the temple was demolished by the people.

The ruins of the Temple of Domitian near the Forum.

The Temple of Domitian was the first temple built by a living emperor for himself, located next to Domitian Forum. There are 8 pillars on one side of the temple, 13 on the other side, and 4 more in front of the altar. It is the largest temple in the city. After the temple was demolished, only this door sculpture remained.

This relief sculpture of the Goddess of Victory under the fig tree was originally part of the arch on the Gate of Heracles.

The goddess of victory is named Nike. Legend has it that she has wings and amazing speed. She helped Zeus defeat the Titans and brought victory to Zeus, so she became the goddess of victory. In Western art, it often appears as an image with wings and an olive branch.

She not only symbolizes victory in war, but also represents success in many areas of Greek daily life, especially in the field of competitive sports. So Nike took her name as the company's name, and the hook of Nike's trademark also came from this statue.

This statue is engraved with the god of wealth worshiped by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It should be the god Hermes in Greek mythology. The Romans also called Mercury. He wears sandals with wings and holds a magic wand, which allows him to fly around as quickly as his thoughts. Therefore, he became the messenger and messenger of Zeus. He is also the god of cunning thieves and liars. "Homer's Ode" describes him as a "changeable, slippery and clever thief, who brings dreams to people, is the night watchman, the thief at the door, the first to show kindness among the immortal gods." "So he is still the god worshiped by thieves, probably because thieves need both clever deception and quick escape.

The French famous brand Hermès that many fashionable women are flocking to today is his name!

This is the temple of Hadrian the Great.

Hadrian, nicknamed Emperor Brave, was one of the Five Wise Emperors of the Roman Empire and reigned from 117 to 138 AD. He has been in power for nearly 30 years. He was a descendant of Roman nobles living in Spain and a cousin of the Roman Emperor Trajan. He went to Rome at the age of 14 and began serving in the army at the age of 16. He experienced the battles of the Rhine and Danube.

Hadrian was deeply appreciated by Trajan and was entrusted with important tasks. Shortly after Trajan's death in 117 AD, Hadrian succeeded as Roman emperor. From then on, Rome entered a golden age, and nearly 100 million people began to enjoy a life of peace, prosperity and security.

Hadrian was a tall, strong man with thick curly hair and sharp eyes. When marching and fighting, he was not afraid of changes in weather and terrain, ate the same food and drank cheap drinks as the soldiers, and was deeply loved by the soldiers.

Emperor Hadrian was considered ahead of his time in many ways, with contemporaries praising him as "friendly yet majestic, serious yet amusing, frugal yet generous, versatile yet versatile. Pursue change”. Hadrian was also a learned emperor. Among all Roman emperors, he was the most cultured one, with attainments in literature, art, mathematics, philosophy and astronomy. He has the temperament of an artist, which is reflected in his poems, architectural designs, and lifestyle.

The temple's architecture and sculptures are extremely exquisite and have high artistic value.

There is a statue of Medusa carved under the eaves of the main hall inside.

This beautiful girl is so pitiful. She only boasted that she was more beautiful than Athena, but Athena turned her into an ugly woman with snake hair, and men could not look at her, otherwise they would turn into stone. She was eventually killed by Perseus, and her head was given to Athena by Perseus, who mounted it on a shield.

The Greek gods are really perverted sometimes.

However, I also remind some people who have capital but no backing: Even if you are really beautiful, don't show off. After all, some people cannot be offended, especially those who are too small-minded.

The carving of Medusa’s head on Hadrian’s Temple may have added to the power and majesty of the temple, preventing ordinary people from looking up at it, thereby maintaining the mystery of the temple.

Some tourists say that the Starbucks trademark is the image of Medusa, but this is actually a misinformation. Besides, it doesn’t make sense for Starbucks to use Medusa. Are you trying to scare people away from drinking coffee at Starbucks?

In fact, this is the image of the two-tailed mermaid in Nordic legend. There is also a theory that she is an image of a siren, which makes sense. The siren's song is full of temptation, and so is Starbucks coffee.

Past the Temple of Hadrian, there was a bathhouse for nobles called the Baths of Rastica. The statue in the center is of a woman who rebuilt the bathroom after the earthquake.

The big pit covered with grass in the middle was the bathing pool at that time.

Next to the bathroom, there is an old aristocratic toilet that can accommodate 48 people at the same time. This is the world's first flushing toilet! And still sitting on the toilet. Under the toilet seat is a ditch made of stone, 2-3 meters deep, which is naturally washed by flowing water. At that time, only noble men could enter, and they had to pay a fee. It is said that some nobles even spent money to buy toilet seats for their own use.

This place was also a social place where nobles could discuss issues, exchange information and discuss business while going to the toilet.

It is said that when the nobles went to the toilet in the cold winter, they would first let the slaves sit on them to warm the toilet seats, and then sit on them themselves.

But it is impossible even if you think about it. If they are in a hurry, can they wait? Maybe there is another way to heat it.

How to clean after going to the toilet? There is a running gutter in front of the seat, and it is said that they used a Mediterranean sponge dipped in water to scrub it.

At the end of the road is the famous Celsus Library, a landmark building in Ephesus.

The Library of Celsus was built by the governor of Ephesus in memory of his father, the former governor Celsus. Some people also say that the Library of Celsus was the son of Celsus. In order to protect his father, this library was built on his grave. Because Celsus is buried next to the library.

The library is tall and majestic. It was said to be the second largest in Asia Minor at the time, with a collection of 12,000 books. The building faces east, allowing the reading room to take advantage of morning light. It is said that Homer and Aristotle both wrote and taught here, but the dating is not credible.

Beautiful statues in the Library of Celsus.

Only the front wall of the current library remains. The front facade is covered with very exquisite carvings, and four niches enshrine statues representing kindness, thought, knowledge and wisdom.

But this wall is said to have been rebuilt later.

Ephesus is the second largest ancient Roman ruin in the world. But it is not a world heritage site.

Since many of the relics in Ephesus were later restored, and because they were so well restored (the original relics were put together with the newly copied ones), they looked fake and real, and became a model of making the old look like new. , and it doesn’t clearly indicate which ones are new and which ones are old. Therefore, it is not included in the United Nations' "World Cultural List".

Celsus restoration map.

Opposite the library is the brothel, and it is said that the library and the brothel have the same owner. There is a secret passage from the library to the brothel. The library stipulates that only men are allowed to enter. It is difficult to say where the men went.