Falkener, Edward: Ephesus and the temple of Diana (London, 1862)

III.

FOUNDATION OF EPHESUS AND EARLY HISTORY.

" The Ionians have erected their towns under the finest sky and
sweetest climate in the earth that we know of : for no country
approaches to Ionia in these blessings, neither North nor South,
nor East nor West : some of which are oppressed by wet and
cold, others by heat and drought."—(Herod, i. 142.)

AN early geographer bestoivs almost equally-
lavish praises upon the whole province of Asia.
He says: "Such is great Asia, which excels all other
provinces, and has innumerable cities, great ones
indeed, and many also on the coast; of which it is
requisite that I mention two:—Ephesus, which is
said to have an excellent port, and Smyrna. . .
The region of Asia is abundant and fruitful in all
good things ; it has various wines, oil, barley, purple,
and good wheat. It is indeed most admirable, and
it is difficult to praise it sufficiently."1 Mithridates,
in his speech to his soldiers, told them, " No climate
in the world is more temperate than that of Asia;
no country more fertile, or better stored with
wealthy and pleasant cities ; and the time of its

1 Geog. vet. Scrijit. Grcec. Min. Oxon, 1712, vol. iii. 11.