Roman Period

Ephesus was taken by the Roman Republic in 88 BCE, during the First Mithridatic War. At the time, the city was under the control of King Mithridates VI of Pontus, who was engaged in a conflict with the Roman Republic.

Roman forces, led by the general Lucius Cornelius Sulla, marched on Ephesus and quickly captured the city. The Romans then established Ephesus as a provincial capital, making it an important center of administration and commerce in the region.

Under Roman rule, Ephesus continued to prosper and grow. The city was the site of several important public works, including the construction of the Temple of Hadrian and the renovation of the Theater. The city also became an important center of early Christianity, with the Apostle Paul visiting the city and establishing a Christian community there.

Ephesus continued to be an important city throughout the Roman period, with several emperors visiting the city and contributing to its development. The city was also an important center of trade and commerce, with a large harbor that was used for shipping goods throughout the Mediterranean.

Overall, the Roman conquest of Ephesus was a significant event in the city's history, as it established the city as an important center of Roman administration and culture in the region. The city's prosperity continued for centuries to come, and many of the impressive ruins that can be seen in Ephesus today date back to the Roman period.