Ephesus: Theater (Ephesus, Turkey) : Context view, looking southeast along the Arkadiane towards the theater

Creator:

unknown (Greek (ancient) with Ancient Roman additions)

Published/Created:

variant, Ephesos, Ephesus, Aegean Region, Turkey
ca. 50 BCE-400 CE

Physical Description:

140 x 95 m (depth, cavea)

Date Depicted:

10/15/1997
8000 BC - 499 AD

Materials:

marble
stone

Notes:

Although Lysimachus is often credited with building the "Great Theatre" at this time, there is no evidence of a theatre in the initial construction phase of the city. Stefan Karwiese of the Österreichisches Archaologisches Insitut questions the existence of a theatre at Ephesus prior to 100 BC but acknowledges the possibility that Lysimachus may have chosen the building site prior to his death in 281 BC. The magnificent theatre is set into the side of a steep hill at the center of the ancient city. Its design, location and conception may have benefited from Hellenistic influences but its size and ornamentations are the products of Imperial Rome. The theatre was built at the end of the Hellenistic period, but it was significantly altered and enlarged by the Romans during the following five centuries. The theatre remained in use until the 5th century AD. The Roman cavea at Ephesus is larger than a semicircle, with three tiers of seats separated into wedges (cunei) by two diazomata and 58 staircases. The first tier of seats has twelve staircases, while the second and third tiers had twenty-three each. Made of marble, the cavea held 17,000 to 22,000 spectators and measured 140 by 95 meters. The steepness of the rows increases above each diazomata for the benefit of those sitting at the back of the theatre. There was a colonnade above and behind the uppermost tier of cavea seating. An awning (velum) that provided weather protection to the cavea was added in the middle of the second century AD.

Variant Titles:

Great Theatre at Ephesos

Topics:

Architecture -- Italy -- Roman -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Hellenistic

Culture:

Greek (ancient)
Roman

Accession Number:

1A3-R-T-E-16-A1

Genre:

amphitheaters (built works) (AAT)
architecture (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

architectural exteriors; recreation and games; festivals; Performing arts; Roman Empire; leisure construction buildings; performing arts buildings; theaters (buildings); complexes; sites (locations); archaeological sites; excavations (sites) topographical

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Module Three

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
10/15/1997

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4152

OID:

10160235

PID:

digcoll:1825074