Emperor Augustus visits Ephesus

In 27 BCE, Augustus became the first Roman Emperor, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire. He was known for his ambitious building projects and urban renewal initiatives throughout the empire, and Ephesus was no exception.

Augustus visited Ephesus twice, once in 20 BCE and again in 2 BCE. During his visits, he oversaw several major construction projects, including the Temple of Rome and Augustus, which was built to honor him and the goddess Roma.

However, Augustus's most notable contribution to Ephesus was the Library of Celsus, which was built in honor of the Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The library was one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city, with two levels of reading rooms and a grand facade decorated with statues and reliefs.

The Library of Celsus was also one of the most important centers of learning in the ancient world, housing thousands of scrolls and books on a variety of subjects. It remained an important symbol of the city's cultural and intellectual heritage for centuries to come.

Augustus's construction projects transformed Ephesus into a thriving metropolis, with impressive public works and infrastructure that were the envy of the ancient world. The city continued to be an important center of trade, commerce, and culture throughout the Roman period, and many of its impressive ruins still stand today as a testament to Augustus's vision and ambition.