Odeon

Ephesus

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Built around AD 150, this once-lavish 1400-seat theatre boasts marble seats with lions' paws and other carved ornamentation. It was used primarily for lectures and musical performances but, given its location next to the Upper Agora, it almost certainly also functioned as a 450-seat bouleuterion (council chamber) for matters concerning city government. It is still used for musical performances.

Ephesus had one of the ancient world's most advanced aqueduct systems, and there are signs of this in terracotta piping for water along the way to the building. The holes that appear intermittently at the top were used to unblock the pipes.

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Nearby Ephesus attractions

1. Temple of Hestia

0.03 MILES

The Prytaneum hosted this shrine, where the city's eternal flame was tended by vestal virgins, and was fronted by a giant statue of Artemis, now in the…

2. Prytaneum

0.03 MILES

Two of six original Doric columns mark the entrance to the ruined Prytaneum, one of the most important civic structures in Ephesus. Within and dedicated…

3. Baths of Varius

0.05 MILES

Baths were situated at the main entrances to ancient cities so that visitors could be disinfected and wash before entering. These 2nd-century ones stand…

4. Upper Agora

0.05 MILES

This large square measuring 58m by 170m, and used for legislation and local political talk, was flanked by grand columns and filled with polished marble…

5. Temple of Isis

0.07 MILES

Objects discovered in this small temple in the Upper Agora suggested that it was dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis.

6. Necropolis

0.07 MILES

Site of a necropolis dating to the 6th century BC which was later covered by the upper (or state) agora.

7. Memmius Monument

0.08 MILES

This monument from the 1st century AD is dedicated to Caius Memmius, nephew of the dictator Sulla who sacked Ephesus in 84 BC. Pillars with dancing…

8. Upper Gate (Magnesian Gate)

0.08 MILES

This is the more popular entry point of Ephesus' two entrances. It was erected under Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century AD.