Day Tour Ephesus – The Founding of the City in Mythology
A day tour Ephesus is more than visiting ancient ruins. It is about discovering myths, legends, and fascinating stories.
According to Greek mythology, Ephesus was founded in the 11th century BC. It was built by Androklos, son of the legendary king of Athens.
Androklos asked the oracles of Delphi where to build a new Greek city. The oracles gave a strange answer involving a wild boar and a fish.
One day, while cooking fish over a fire, something happened. A fish jumped from the pan into nearby bushes, starting a fire. A wild boar ran out of the flames. Androklos chased and killed it.
He remembered the oracle’s words. That place became the location of ancient Ephesus. Join our customized daily Ephesus tours to explore this legendary place.
Day Tour Ephesus – Ephesus Through the Ages
Ephesus has moved locations several times over history. The first known site was Ayasuluk Hill, home to early Anatolian tribes.
These tribes included the Amazons, Carians, Hittites, and Lelegians. Later, Ephesus moved north of Mount Panayır (Mount Pion).
Like many Aegean cities, it was ruled by Croesus of Lydia, then the Persians. The third and largest city was founded by Lysimachus, a general of Alexander the Great. It was between Mount Panayır and Mount Bülbül (Mount Coressus).
This third Ephesus is what tourists visit today. Later, Arab raids and a silting harbor forced people to move back to Ayasuluk Hill.
This final move created the fourth Ephesus. Explore ancient paths on our adventure Bulgaria tour.
Day Tour Ephesus – Early History and Archaeology
Excavations show Ephesus dates back to 6000 BC, during the Chalcolithic Period. Diggings at Ayasuluk Hill uncovered early settlements.
Hittite tablets from 1400 BC mention Ephesus as Apassas, meaning “Honey Bee.” This shows its deep Anatolian roots.
Ancient writers like Strabo, Herodotus, and Pausanias give more stories. They claim the city was founded around 3000 BC by the Amazons. These warrior women named the city Ephesos, after one of their queens or generals.
Later, the Hittites arrived and renamed it Apassas. Ionian Greeks came around 1100 BC and started building the city as we know it.
You can see layers of history on every day tour Ephesus. To learn more or plan your visit, feel free to contact us.
Take a sightseeing tour Turkey and discover where myth and history meet in Ephesus.
