Like today’s mileage signs, milestones in Ephesus were erected on roads and used to show the distance between cities in the ancient times. Milestones made of marble are very few in Ephesus, and local stone is generally used.
Arriving in Ephesus was like a dream come true for a traveler.
As the capital of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, this city had seen its heyday during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. With a population of over 200,000, Ephesus was one of the most important cities in the region as a cultural and commercial center. Walking along its marble streets, it was possible to encounter a new historical monument at every corner.
Unit of Measurements on Milestones
The unit of measurement as seen in the Ephesian milestones was the Stadia. While the measurement unit between two Milestones was “Stadia (185 meters)” in the Hellenistic period, it was “milla passuum (1000 foot)” in the Roman period.
Milestones were significant structures used in ancient times to determine distances between cities and to find directions. The milestones found in the ancient city of Ephesus are critical artifacts reflecting the cultural and historical richness of this period. These stones, which belong to both the Hellenistic and Roman periods, are of great importance as part of the transportation and communication systems of antiquity.
Writings on Milestones
The first Roman milestones were made during the Republic period. The letters were painted in red for good readability. The name of the current Roman emperor was carved on all the milestones. When the emperor died and a new one came, his name was erased and replaced with the new one. Some Milestones in Ephesus have survived to the present day, the stones can be seen both in Ephesus Ancient City and in the Ephesus Museum.
Book Ephesus Tour Guide
These stones, which bear the traces of the past, continue to carry the splendor and cultural richness of Ephesus to the present day, both as a guide and a work of art. Inspired by Ephesus, it will be one of our most important duties to appreciate and protect this historical heritage in the future.
Milestones in Ephesus can be seen on the lower entrance of Ephesus Ancient City. You can contact me to get your professional Turkish licensed tour guide in Ephesus to learn more. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.
