Cultural Route Symposium

Symposium Details

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martin Steskal ‘’A General Presentation on Ephesus’’ Ephesus is an ancient city that has had great importance throughout history. Located within the borders of today’s Selçuk, İzmir province, Ephesus was one of the most important cities in Anatolia during the Ancient Roman period. This presentation covered the history of Ephesus, its cultural richness and archaeological discoveries. Ephesus is known for its magnificent structures such as the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. The presentation focused on how Ephesus has survived from ancient times to the present day, what kind of information archaeological excavations shed light on and the role of this area in tourism. Dr. Fuat Yılmaz ‘’Ephesus Artemis Cult’’ Ephesus is famous for its historical Temple of Artemis, and while the presentation focused on the Artemis Cult of Ephesus, it was mostly discussed from a mythology and cultural perspective. Artemis is a mythological goddess associated with nature and fertility. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus hosted a unique depiction of this goddess. The presentation examined the mythological story of Artemis, the history and architecture of the temple, and conveyed why she was so important to Ephesus. While addressing the impact of the Artemis Cult on the daily life and culture of Ephesus, some examples were presented to see how this cult contributed to the artistic and cultural expression of the ancient period and how it continued. Archaeologist Filiz Öztürk ‘’Mythological History and Structures of Ephesus’’ The content of the presentation, which focused on the mythological roots and ancient temples of Ephesus, was detailed under this title by addressing the legends of Ephesus, temples dedicated to its gods, and the archaeological importance of these important historical sites.