Ephesus as a Religious Center under the Principate

Ephesus emerged as a significant religious center during the Roman Principate, marked by its diverse cultic landscape and syncretism. The study reveals that the city's religious identity was shaped by a blend of local traditions and imperial worship, with prominent temples like the Artemisium serving as focal points for both civic and provincial devotion. Archaeological analysis of inscriptions, architectural remains, and ritual artifacts provides evidence of this religious dynamism, illustrating how Ephesus adapted to and integrated Roman cultural and political norms while maintaining its own distinct religious heritage.

Black, A., Thompson, T. W., & Thomas, C. M. (2016). Ephesus as a Religious Center under the Principate. Early Christianity, 7(3), 407–410. https://doi.org/10.1628/186870316x14712579797092