Ephesus Museum, Selçuk
Exterior of the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk. Photo © Helen Betts.
Cult statue from Ephesus called the "Beautiful Artemis" (1st cent AD).
Photo
Julian Fong. 
Cult statue from Ephesus called the "Great Artemis" (2nd cent. AD).
Photo © Andrys Basten.
Statue of the river god Marnus from a fountain. Photo © Dick Osseman.
Statue of Bes or Priapus in Ephesus Museum. Photo © Andrys Basten.
The Ephesus Museum (Efes Müzesi), located near the entrance to the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, displays excavations from the ancient city of Ephesus. The main highlights are two statues of the Ephesian Artemis, frescoes and mosaics.
What to See
The first exhibit one comes to in the museum is the Roman Period House Finds Room, with artifacts from the Slope Houses owned by upper-class Ephesians. Among the interesting household items recovered are a bronze Eros with the Dolphin from a 2nd-century fountain and a faded 3rd-century fresco of Socrates. There is also a ithyphallic figurine of Bes, found near the brothel. Of Egyptian origin, Bes was a protector of motherhood and childbearing.
Also in display in the museum is the Ivory Frieze from an upper story of one of the Slope Houses, which depicts the emperor Trajan and his Roman soldiers battling barbarians. Other everyday items include a collection of medical and cosmetic tools, used by the important medical school in Roman Ephesus, and a wall of portraits of Ephesian physicians.
One of the most impressive and illuminating sections in the museum is dedicated to the mother goddess and dominated by two colossal statues of Artemis. One is called "Beautiful Artemis" and dates from the 1st century AD; the other is "Great Artemis" from the 2nd century AD.
Both Artemis statues feature rows of intriguing protuberances, which most scholars now think are bull testicles, but were previously thought to be breasts or eggs. Regardless, they are all symbols related to fertility. (See Artemis of Ephesus for more details on the goddess and her image.)
Recoveries from monumental fountains include a beautiful headless Aphrodite, a head of Zeus dating to the 1st century AD, a statue of a youthful Dionysus with a satyr and statues of Dionysus with members of the imperial family (these last are from the Fountain of Trajan).
More monumental artifacts are displayed in the courtyards, including the pediment from the Temple of Augustus (Isis Temple). It has been reassembled using the original statues, which had been used in the Fountain of Polio after the temple was destroyed. Also out here is a Sarcophagus with Muses from the 3rd century AD and the Ephesus Monument, inscribed with tax regulations, which was issued by Emperor Nero in 62 AD.
The final exhibit contains Roman sculptures, the most important of which is a frieze from the Temple of Hadrian. A copy of the frieze is in the original position on the elegant temple among the ruins. The frieze depicts the founding of Ephesus, the birth of the cult of Artemis, and the flight of the Amazons. Some of the original sections are now in Vienna.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Ephesus Museum, Efes Müzesi |
| Type of site: | Museum with religious artifacts |
| Location: | On the edge of the park near the intersection of Atatürk Cad., opposite the Tourist Information office |
| Phone: | 0232/892-6010 |
| Hours: | Tues-Sun 8:30am-6pm |
| Cost: | $2.50 |
Travel Resources
- Ephesus Map - our detailed interactive map plus links to more
- Ephesus Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and day trips
- Kusadasi Hostels - search and book budget lodgings in nearby Kusadasi
- Kusadasi Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews from fellow travelers
- Car Rentals (from Kusadasi) - explore Turkey with your own car
- Ephesus Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Ephesus tourism
Article Sources
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Ephesus Museum. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Ephesus Map or get our free Google Earth download.
