Important Historical Events in Ephesus

Here is a chronological order of some of the important events that took place in ancient Ephesus:

• 1000 BCE: Settlement of Ephesus by Ionian Greeks. Read More

• 550 BCE: The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is constructed. Read More

• 334 BCE: Alexander the Great conquers Ephesus, which becomes a Hellenistic city. Read More

• 88 BCE: Ephesus is taken by the Roman Republic. Read More

• 27 BCE: Roman Emperor Augustus visits Ephesus and begins major construction projects, including the Library of Celsus. Read More

• 262 CE: The Goths sack and burn the city.

• 431 CE: The Council of Ephesus is held, in which the doctrine of the divine nature of Jesus Christ is declared.

• 654 CE: Arab armies invade and conquer Ephesus, causing significant damage to the city.

• 1090 CE: The Byzantine Empire recaptures Ephesus from the Seljuk Turks.

• 1304 CE: The city is sacked and burned by the Knights of St. John.

• 1425 CE: Ephesus is abandoned due to the silting of the harbor, which makes it vulnerable to attack.

• 1863 CE: Excavations of the ancient city begin, revealing many of its ancient treasures and providing insight into its history and culture.