Ephesos, Metropolis of Asia: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Its Archaeology, Religion, and Culture

by Helmut Koester (Editor), Helmut Köster

This volume brings together studies of Ephesos―a major city in the Greco-Roman period and a primary center for the spread of Christianity into the Western world―by an international array of scholars from the fields of classics, fine arts, history of religion, New Testament, ancient Christianity, and archaeology. The studies were presented at a spring 1994 Harvard Divinity School symposium on Ephesos, focusing on the results of one hundred years of archaeological work at Ephesos by members of the Austrian Archaeological Institute.

The contributors to this volume discuss some of the most interesting and controversial results of recent the Processional Way of Artemis, the Hadrianic Olympieion and the Church of Mary, the so-called Temple of Domitian, and the heroes Androkolos and Arsinoe.

Since very little about the Austrian excavations at Ephesos has been published in English, this volume should prove useful in introducing the archaeology of this metropolis to a wider readership.

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

English pen name for author Helmut Köster

Reviews

[Merve · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book that collected works on different parts and eras of Ephesos. As an updated version of Foss' book but more detailed and has a variety of subjects.

[Michael Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book touches only briefly on Paul's association with the city and contains only cursory comments on Biblical references to Ephesus, it is a very rich treasure on information on the city that was Paul's headquarters in Asia for more than 2 years. L. Michael White's chapter on Urban Development and Social Change in Imperial Ephesos [sic] presents an insightful social history of the city that can enrich a study of the Pauline epistles. Some good illustrations and a fold-out map are included, but many of the buildings represented post-date Paul's activities in Ephesus.

[Bruce Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The collection of essays provides the reader with a portrait of archaeological findings to date. Ephesus remains a popular walk-through destination for people interested in Bible backgrounds. This book serves as a capable tour guide. Well worth the investment of time.

[Maggie Gann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense reading, but good for understanding various aspects of life in Ephesus at its height.