Although the domestic life of the Ephesians varied according to social status and level of wealth, it generally exhibited the characteristics of a typical Roman city. Houses were predominantly constructed from stone and brick, featuring courtyard designs with facades devoid of street-facing windows, emphasizing privacy. The wealthy Ephesians lived in Terrace Houses, notable for their luxury. These houses had a central open-air courtyard (peristyle), with rooms arranged around it. The columned galleries overlooking the courtyard provided light and added aesthetic beauty to the home. Homes were typically two-storied; the lower floor hosted the living room, sitting areas, and dining rooms, while the upper floor contained bedrooms and guest rooms. Over time, the upper floors decayed, but the remaining lower floor remnants reveal the layout of these spaces.

The heating and plumbing systems in Ephesian homes were advanced. In the Terrace Houses, a hypocaust system, akin to those in city baths, was employed: by circulating hot air through terracotta pipes laid beneath the floors and within walls, homes could be heated in winter. These houses also featured faucets connected to cold and hot water and marble-covered baths. Notably, in the homes of wealthy families, there were mosaic floors and wall frescoes depicting mythological scenes, showcasing the luxury and splendor of life in Ephesus. For instance, a Dionysos mosaic unearthed in a Terrace House illustrates the homeowners' appreciation for art and religion. Such mosaics and paintings are crucial evidence of ancient Ephesus's aesthetic tastes and decorative sensibilities.

Dinners and banquets in wealthy homes also served as social events. Guests were entertained in dining rooms called Triclinium, which were bordered by three couches. Music was a common feature during meals: patrons sipped their wine, accompanied by the flute (auloi) or lyre, engaging in conversations on philosophy, poetry, or city gossip. Wine was typically diluted with water and sometimes mixed with honey, necessitating special mixing vessels (krater) in households. The serving staff were household slaves; in affluent residences, trained slaves managed the wine cellar and kitchen, providing proper service to guests. While family members sat at the table, servants and slaves usually dined in a separate area or on floor cushions. This hierarchical setup reflected the domestic structure of ancient society.

The daily roles of women and children in domestic life were determined by societal structure. During ancient Greek times in Ephesus, women mainly took on domestic roles, with limited access to public space and education opportunities. Girls generally did not attend school; they learned household tasks like weaving and sewing under their mothers' supervision. Boys, however, began their education in reading, writing, music, and sports from the ages of 6-7. This situation changed with Roman rule, allowing girls to attend school alongside boys. During the Roman period in Ephesus, subjects such as history, literature, logic, astronomy, arithmetic, philosophy, and mythology were taught, providing both genders with comprehensive education. At home, mothers were responsible for children's care and managing the household. Daily tasks like cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking were managed by women, with servants handling most duties in wealthier families. Artifacts such as loom components and needles found in Ephesus indicate that clothing was crafted at home by women, meeting the family's garment needs through domestic production. Women also fetched water daily from street fountains or wells, offering opportunities for social interaction among neighboring women.

The family structure in Ephesian society was under the influence of Roman law. The father was recognized as the head of the family, while the mother was the primary figure managing the domestic sphere. The survival of newborns was not always guaranteed; with prevalent diseases, infant mortality was high. Moreover, in antiquity, if a child was born with a physical disability deemed ominous, the family had the right to reject (in essence, abandon or kill) the baby. In later periods (during the crisis and decline of the Roman Empire), as economic hardships increased the sale of newborns as slaves, the state had to legalize and regulate this practice. Despite such harsh realities, an ordinary day in Ephesus saw children playing games in the streets, with wooden toy carts, cloth dolls, or clay balls. The city's broad avenues and temple courtyards served as playgrounds for children's enjoyment. Families would stroll around the temples in the evenings, ending the day with conversations with neighbors in the small courtyards in front of their homes. Daily life in Ephesus was a rich experience where family warmth and urban vibrancy intertwined.

Although the domestic life of the Ephesians varied according to social status and level of wealth, it generally exhibited the characteristics of a typical Roman city. Houses were predominantly constructed from stone and brick, featuring courtyard designs with facades devoid of street-facing windows, emphasizing privacy. The wealthy Ephesians lived in Terrace Houses, notable for their luxury. These houses had a central open-air courtyard (peristyle), with rooms arranged around it. The columned galleries overlooking the courtyard provided light and added aesthetic beauty to the home. Homes were typically two-storied; the lower floor hosted the living room, sitting areas, and dining rooms, while the upper floor contained bedrooms and guest rooms. Over time, the upper floors decayed, but the remaining lower floor remnants reveal the layout of these spaces.

The heating and plumbing systems in Ephesian homes were advanced. In the Terrace Houses, a hypocaust system, akin to those in city baths, was employed: by circulating hot air through terracotta pipes laid beneath the floors and within walls, homes could be heated in winter. These houses also featured faucets connected to cold and hot water and marble-covered baths. Notably, in the homes of wealthy families, there were mosaic floors and wall frescoes depicting mythological scenes, showcasing the luxury and splendor of life in Ephesus. For instance, a Dionysos mosaic unearthed in a Terrace House illustrates the homeowners' appreciation for art and religion. Such mosaics and paintings are crucial evidence of ancient Ephesus's aesthetic tastes and decorative sensibilities.

Dinners and banquets in wealthy homes also served as social events. Guests were entertained in dining rooms called Triclinium, which were bordered by three couches. Music was a common feature during meals: patrons sipped their wine, accompanied by the flute (auloi) or lyre, engaging in conversations on philosophy, poetry, or city gossip. Wine was typically diluted with water and sometimes mixed with honey, necessitating special mixing vessels (krater) in households. The serving staff were household slaves; in affluent residences, trained slaves managed the wine cellar and kitchen, providing proper service to guests. While family members sat at the table, servants and slaves usually dined in a separate area or on floor cushions. This hierarchical setup reflected the domestic structure of ancient society.

The daily roles of women and children in domestic life were determined by societal structure. During ancient Greek times in Ephesus, women mainly took on domestic roles, with limited access to public space and education opportunities. Girls generally did not attend school; they learned household tasks like weaving and sewing under their mothers' supervision. Boys, however, began their education in reading, writing, music, and sports from the ages of 6-7. This situation changed with Roman rule, allowing girls to attend school alongside boys. During the Roman period in Ephesus, subjects such as history, literature, logic, astronomy, arithmetic, philosophy, and mythology were taught, providing both genders with comprehensive education. At home, mothers were responsible for children's care and managing the household. Daily tasks like cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking were managed by women, with servants handling most duties in wealthier families. Artifacts such as loom components and needles found in Ephesus indicate that clothing was crafted at home by women, meeting the family's garment needs through domestic production. Women also fetched water daily from street fountains or wells, offering opportunities for social interaction among neighboring women.

The family structure in Ephesian society was under the influence of Roman law. The father was recognized as the head of the family, while the mother was the primary figure managing the domestic sphere. The survival of newborns was not always guaranteed; with prevalent diseases, infant mortality was high. Moreover, in antiquity, if a child was born with a physical disability deemed ominous, the family had the right to reject (in essence, abandon or kill) the baby. In later periods (during the crisis and decline of the Roman Empire), as economic hardships increased the sale of newborns as slaves, the state had to legalize and regulate this practice. Despite such harsh realities, an ordinary day in Ephesus saw children playing games in the streets, with wooden toy carts, cloth dolls, or clay balls. The city's broad avenues and temple courtyards served as playgrounds for children's enjoyment. Families would stroll around the temples in the evenings, ending the day with conversations with neighbors in the small courtyards in front of their homes. Daily life in Ephesus was a rich experience where family warmth and urban vibrancy intertwined.