Ephesus was a strategically important commercial port and a gateway between the Mediterranean and Anatolia (Asia Minor). The ancient harbour, on the west of the city, was artificially enclosed during the rule of King Attalus II of Pergamon (159-138 BC), and substantially developed from the early Roman imperial period when a monumental three-arched gate was added (see image below). Another two gates along the road between the city and the harbour were built in the 3rd century AD.

Apart from the warehouses around the mouth of the harbour, a number of buildings were gradually added, including the Harbour Baths, built during the reign of Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD), the Harbour Gymnasium and the Stoas or Halls of Verulanus (Verulanus Square, 90-110 AD). The Lower Commercial Agora (the Tetragonos Agora) was conveniently situated just to the southeast.

The harbour mouth gradually silted up, and from the 3rd century AD the port was connected to the sea by a canal, on either side of which the Harbour Necropolis developed.

The Arcadian Way, also known as the Arkadiane (η Αρκαδιανή) or Harbour Street, was the main road running east to west between the city and the harbour, starting in front of the Great Theatre. It is is thought to have been constructed during the Hellenistic period, but its present form is the result of a redesign during the reign of Emperor Arcadius (395-408 AD).

The 530 metre long and 11.5 metre wide paved street was lined on both sides by rows of shops within stoas (colonnades) 5 - 5.7 m deep, which ran the entire length. The stoas were supported by marble columns with composite capitals (a mixture of Ionic and Corinthian elements, see photo right), about 2.65 metres apart, and the floors were partly decorated with mosaics of simple geometrical designs. Naturally, several statues and monuments appeared along the street over time. According to a 6th century inscription, there was even public street lighting provided by 50 oil lamps.

The Arcadian Way was discovered during Austrian excavations in 1899, and the archaeologists continued to work in the area until 1902. Several areas around the harbour have not yet been thoroughly researched.

The clearance of the vegetation makes the layout and features of the street much clearer, even if visitors are not allowed to walk along it. It also makes the tasks of maintaining and protecting the ruins easier. Hovever, the greenery gave the street a kind of wild beauty. Gradually, ever more areas around the archaeological site are being tamed and defoliated. As a result, parts of ancient Ephesus are beginning to look more arid and stony, especially in summer.

This semi-wild, green area is reached by footpaths leading to the right from the main path between the lower site entrance and the Great Theatre, and from the Aghia Maria (Church of the Virgin). Very few visitors find their way here, as the ruins, architectural fragments, sarcophagi and inscriptions are not as enticing for most people as those of the main sights, and there is so much else to see. It is not on the itineraries of the tourist guides.

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