THE IONIAN BEGINNINGS

The earliest inhabitants of Ephesus were the Lydians, the Lelegians and the Carians living on the north slope of the theatre hill. The base of the hill known today as Panayir Dagi, formally Mt Pion, was originally on the coast. The sea reached past the city and actually extended as far as the town of Selçuk. These early inhabitants worshipped the goddess Kybele and made their living from the land. The cult of Kybele and its sanctuary offered many attractions to the locals and to visitors.

<== Statue of Androclus, mythical founder of Ephesus, depicted as a hunter. 2nd century AD.  Efes Archaeological Museum, Selçuk. .

Androclus (Androcles) was the first to colonize Ephesus in the 10th century BC.

He was one of the sons of King Codrus (Kondros) of Athens. King Codrus was famous for his courage in war and his strong belief in the Delphic oracle. Just before his final battle he consulted the oracle and was: "The armies of the King who dies first will be the victors". Consequently, Codrus made sure that he was killed in the subsequent fighting. His death, while ensuring victory for the day, led to succession problems for Athens. Androclus and his stepbrothers, who were kings in the cities near Athens, .....

 The picturesque legend continues:

Antinous as Androclus -Izmir Archaeological Museum-

It just so happened that, while Androclus was standing around deliberating, some local fishermen were getting down to the more practical business of cooking their lunch. They were cooking their catch of the day over an open fire when one of the fish with a burning ember attached to it fell off the grill, setting fire to the bush. The fire spread rapidly to some thickets where a wild boar had been fast asleep, and when it ran away, it was chased and eventually killed.

<==  Statue of Athena from the 2nd century AD -Izmir Archaeological Museum-

The spot where it fell became the site for the temple of Athena and (somehow) the beginnings of Ephesus. An effigy of a wild boar was still to be found adorning the main street of the city as late as A.D.400. 

Ephesus prospered and eventually became one of the richest and most civilized cities of Western Anatolia  

Androclus died during a war with the Carians and was buried near the Magnesia Gate. A heroon (shrine dedicated to a deified person or hero) was built on the site as his descendants continued ......