Remarks on the coins of Ephesus struck during the Roman dominion / By John Yonge Akerman.

  • John Yonge Akerman
Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the coins of Ephesus struck during the Roman dominion / By John Yonge Akerman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    After being under the rule of the Syrian monarchs, Ephesus eventually submitted to the Roman yoke : never¬ theless, she continued to maintain her high rank among the cities of Asia, which is attested by many authorities, but especially by the numerous coins which have descended to our times. The Ephesians appear to have been a very credulous and superstitious people, and to have been much addicted to the study of magic. Of this we have interesting evi¬ dence in the Acts of the Apostles,12 when many “ which used curious arts,” came and burned their books on the preaching of St. Paul. Among other superstitions, was a belief in the power of certain letters termed E^ecria ypappara. Suidas 13 says, that when Milesius and Ephe- sius wrestled together, Milesius could not throw his adver¬ sary because the Ephesian letters were tied to his heel, but having deprived him of this magical assistance, he was soon overcome. It was supposed that whoever pronounced these letters, obtained the object of his wish; and that on hearing them, evil spirits forsook the bodies of those whom they possessed. Plutarch14 says, that these letters were written on the girdle, the feet, and other parts of the statue of Diana Ephesia, hence their appellation. The riches of the temple appear to have excited the 12 Chap. xix. 19. 13 Ephesiae literae: carmina quaedam obscura, quae et' Croesus in rogo recitavit: et Olympiae Milesio et Ephesio certantibus, Milcsium lucturi non potuisse, propterea quod alter juxta talum Epbesias literas haberet. Quibus compertis et demptis, concidisse Epbesium perhibent. 14 Qicrjrep yap oi payol tovq daLpovi^opevovg keXevovcti ra E^eoaa ypappara 7rpug ovrovg KaraXeyeiv mi ovopa^eiv ovtcoq. k. r. X. These words are described as tmv lep&v ml aepviov.—■ Symp. L. vii. q. 5,
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