Ephesus Library of Celsus

The impressive two-story structure at the very beginning of the video is the Library of Celsus. It was built early in the second century, long after Paul spent time in the city. Even so, it is a beautiful way to imagine the grandeur of Ephesus and the Roman empire. Libraries and the concept of keeping scrolls or books was a relatively new concept in the world. Alexander the Great had taken Greek thought and values (Hellenism) with him as he conquered vast areas of land about 325 years before Jesus was born. Four centuries later, the largest library in the Roman empire was in Alexandria, Egypt. Pergamon had the second largest library, and Ephesus the third. When Paul’s preaching led to the burning of expensive scrolls (Acts 19:19), the entire city must have taken notice.