Herostratus is infamous for his act of arson that led to the destruction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. On July 21, 356 BCE, Herostratus set fire to the Temple. This date coincides with the birth of Alexander the Great, a fact that later became part of the legend surrounding both events.
Herostratus’s primary motivation was to achieve lasting fame. He believed that by committing such a notorious act, his name would be remembered throughout history. This desire for fame at any cost is what drove him to burn down one of the most revered structures of the ancient world.
Now they did build back better. The destruction of the Temple of Artemis was a significant loss to the ancient world. However, the people of Ephesus, determined to restore their cultural and religious landmark, began rebuilding the temple soon after the fire. The new temple was even more magnificent than its predecessor and continued to be an important religious and cultural site until its eventual decline.
Herostratus was quickly apprehended and put on trial for his crime. During the trial, he confessed to setting the fire solely for the purpose of making his name immortal. In response to his confession, the authorities of Ephesus decided to impose a form of punishment aimed at erasing his name from history. They decreed that his name should never be recorded or mentioned again, hoping to deny him the fame he sought.
Herostratus was executed for his crime. The exact manner of his execution is not detailed in historical records, but it is clear that he faced severe punishment for his actions. Despite the efforts to erase his name, the historian Theopompus recorded the story of Herostratus, ensuring that his name and deed were not forgotten. Later, the geographer Strabo also mentioned Herostratus in his writings, further cementing his infamy. The term "Herostratic fame" is used to describe someone who commits a criminal or outrageous act in order to achieve notoriety.
Ephesus was one of the most important cities of the ancient world, known for its strategic location, cultural heritage, and religious significance. Ephesus is believed to have been founded around the 10th century BCE by Ionian Greek settlers. Its location near the mouth of the Cayster River made it an ideal spot for trade and commerce.
The Ionians were one of the four major Greek tribes that played a significant role in the history and culture of ancient Greece. The Ionians are believed to have migrated from the Greek mainland to the central coast of Asia Minor around 1200 BCE, following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization. They established themselves primarily in a region known as Ionia, which included cities such as Miletus, Ephesus, and Smyrna.
The Mycenaeans’ impressive architecture and advanced society could have inspired legends of a great, lost civilization. The Mycenaean collapse involved natural disasters like earthquakes and possible tsunamis, which could have been remembered and mythologized as Atlantis's sudden destruction. The Atlantis myth might be a blend of stories from multiple ancient civilizations, including the Mycenaeans, reflecting shared memories of advanced cultures that experienced sudden declines.
We feel so modern. Ionia is often regarded as the birthplace of Greek philosophy. They laid the groundwork for natural philosophy and scientific thought. Homer, the legendary poet credited with composing the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," is traditionally associated with this region. Ionian art and architecture were known for their elegance and refinement. During the Hellenistic period, Ionian cities continued to thrive as important cultural and economic centers under the influence of Alexander the Great and his successors. In the 6th century BCE, Ephesus was conquered by the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.
Isaiah 45:1-4 This is what the Lord said to Cyrus, his chosen king:“I took you by your right hand to help you defeat nations,
to strip other kings of their power,
and to open city gates that will not be closed again.
2 I will go in front of you
and make the mountains flat.
I will break the city gates of bronze
and cut the iron bars on the gates.
3 I will give you the wealth that is stored in secret places.
I will give you those hidden treasures.
Then you will know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, who calls you by name.
4 I do this for my servant, Jacob.
I do it for my chosen people, Israel.
Cyrus, I am calling you by name.
You don’t know me, but I know you.
For Paul in Ephesus knew better than anyone the stakes involved. He was the champion of these chosen people. He was afraid to lose. Then God showed him we all win. One of the central themes of Ephesians is the unity of the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, both Jews and Gentiles, as one body in Christ. He seeks to break down the barriers of division and promote a sense of belonging and togetherness.
In 334 BCE, Ephesus came under the control of Alexander the Great, who liberated it from Persian rule. In this time the city was moved to it's current location foreshadowing the eventual downfall of the city. Ephesus became part of the Roman Republic in 129 BCE and later the Roman Empire. Under Roman rule, Ephesus flourished as a major commercial and cultural hub.
The Apostle Paul visited the city on his missionary journeys, preaching the gospel and establishing a strong Christian community. He stayed in Ephesus for over two years. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament was addressed to the believers in Ephesus, providing theological insights and practical advice for the early Christians. According to tradition, the Apostle John brought Mary, the mother of Jesus, to Ephesus, where she lived until her death. The House of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims.
Ephesus continued to be an important city during the Byzantine period, though it faced challenges from earthquakes, invasions, and changing trade routes. The city eventually fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire.
By the late medieval period, Ephesus was largely abandoned due to the silting up of its harbor and the decline of its commercial importance. The harbor of Ephesus silted up due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors over many centuries. The continuous deposition of sediments led to the formation of a delta at the river’s mouth. As the delta expanded, it pushed the coastline further out to sea and caused the harbor to become shallower. Extensive deforestation and agricultural activities in the region increased soil erosion. The removal of vegetation cover meant that more soil was washed into the river and transported to the harbor. Farming practices contributed to the runoff of soil and sediments into the river, exacerbating the sedimentation problem. The construction and expansion of the city and its infrastructure led to increased runoff and sediment load entering the river. Urban waste and debris might have been dumped into the river, further contributing to the silting of the harbor. The gradual silting forced trade routes and commercial activities to shift to other nearby ports that were more accessible.
The ruins of Ephesus, now located several miles inland from the current coastline, stand as a testament to the city’s historical significance and the natural and human-induced changes that shaped its fate.
These environmental issues led to the city first being moved. The ruins of Ephesus were rediscovered in the 19th century. Today, Ephesus is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Turkey, attracting millions of tourists each year. Ephesus remains a testament to the grandeur and complexity of civilization.
One of the most famous Ionian philosophers, Heraclitus, was born in Ephesus. He is known for his doctrine of change being central to the universe, encapsulated in the phrase "you cannot step into the same river twice." His work significantly influenced later philosophical thought.
The Christian community in Ephesus continued the tradition of intellectual and religious significance established by the Ionians. Paul highlights the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, including their adoption as God's children, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. He wants to remind the readers of their identity and the riches they possess in Christ.
Ephesians contains practical instructions for living a Christian life. Paul provides guidance on ethical behavior, relationships, and spiritual conduct. He addresses various aspects of daily living, such as marriage, family, and work relationships, urging believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling. Paul speaks about the mystery of the gospel, which is the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant community. This mystery, previously hidden, is now revealed through Christ, and Paul explains the profound implications of this revelation. Paul tells believers to put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians contains rich theological teachings about God's plan of salvation, the role of the church, and the ultimate purpose of God's creation. Paul aims to deepen the readers' understanding of these theological truths. The letter is addressed to the saints in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus, but it is believed to have been intended for a wider audience, possibly as a circular letter to be read in multiple churches in the region. The early Christian community there faced challenges from both pagan and Jewish groups, and the letter seeks to address these challenges by reinforcing the believers' faith and commitment to Christ. The phrase "out of his glorious riches" suggests abundance rather than scarcity. God’s blessings have no limit. God’s ability to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" underscores the idea that there are no limits to His power and generosity. This directly challenges the notion of scarcity.
Embrace a mindset of abundance, focusing on the limitless potential and resources available through faith in God. Reflect God’s abundance by being generous with time, resources, and love, trusting that there is enough for everyone. God can meet needs beyond what is imaginable.
Ephesians 3:14-21 Amplified Bible
14 For this reason [grasping the greatness of this plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God—the first and ultimate Father].
Paul, originally named Saul, was a zealous Pharisee and a fierce persecutor of Christians. Saul became Paul, a devoted apostle of Christ, dedicating his life to spreading the Christian faith. Few change sides. Fewer still hold sway on both sides. Nothing shows the power of God more clear.
16 May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];
Experiential learning is learning by doing. It involves hands-on activities and real-world experiences. The thing about time is that it is emergent. The mind loves patterns because it finds them everywhere
19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].
These floods bode well for us.
20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Pray for what you cannot imagine.
An interpretation of John 6:1-21 related to sustainability might focus on the themes of abundance, stewardship, and holistic well-being. Instead of viewing the feeding of the five thousand as a mere miracle of multiplication, it can be seen as a demonstration of God's abundant provision. This challenges societies to rethink concepts of scarcity and hoarding, promoting a sustainable ethic of sharing resources equitably among all people.
Jesus instructs his disciples to gather the leftover fragments after the feeding miracle, emphasizing the importance of stewardship. This encourages a sustainable approach to resource management, where nothing is wasted, and leftovers are valued and utilized effectively.
Walking on water symbolizes Jesus' call for responsible stewardship of creation, advocating for environmental justice and sustainability practices that respect and preserve God's creation. Jesus' declaration of being the "bread of life" (John 6:35) can be interpreted as offering sustainable spiritual nourishment. This challenges societies to prioritize holistic well-being, including physical, spiritual, and environmental health, over short-term gains or exploitation.
Jesus' inclusive actions and teachings promote dismantling systems of inequality and advocating for sustainable development that ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities for all people. A transformative worldview that integrates spiritual values with responsible stewardship of resources, environmental awareness, and social justice. It challenges individuals and societies to embody sustainable practices that honor God's creation and promote flourishing for all.
Here is where time emerges and becomes relevantWhatever you believe
It is a long way
Then it is not
We have all day then night
Awoken one last time
We each have our own
There is no other us
Contradiction is also emergent
It was not here
Our perception clouds
What is before us
Made to be found
People like to put the suffering of the world at the feet of God. They like to walk away from religion when they can. So why is there all this suffering in abundance. This is where most people get lost. I know I spent a good deal of my life lost on this subject. People like to say it is the devil, but the devil is not in charge of anything. You ask me and I will tell you again: God wants to save everything of creation. I believe it is an important aspect of our creator. The subject that should give you pause is that none of the suffering was necessary a person choose every bit of it.
I have come to believe there is good and bad in everything. We either here for something or we are not. There was one other cause for Ephesus no longer being a Christian center. The Fourth Crusade (1202-1204) had a significant impact on the Byzantine Empire. While the Crusaders did not specifically target Ephesus, the sacking of Constantinople in 1204 weakened Byzantine control over its territories, including the areas around Ephesus. Christian on Christian violence that reminds me of the Ukraine war now almost two and a half years old.
I want to live in the possibleThis sustainability the only way
We have more than we need
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