Ephesus

To enter ancient Ephesus, one had to be able to touch both columns of Hercules. The library was everything we thought it would be. I think it gave us chills to walk the agora, turn the corner, and finally see the library. Evidence of the double walls to protect scrolls from moisture is still visible. I initiated the visit to the terrace houses that most tourists bypass. When one faces the library, the houses are on the hill to the left. The Fulbrighters thought seeing the excavation in progress was the best part of Ephesus. The mosaics on the floors of the ancient Roman houses were unbelievably beautiful. Many walls were tiled with marble. Houses had running water, including hot water, and sewage. We assume that many Roman senators would have lived in the terrace houses.