Great Theatre of Ephesus

Theatrum Ephesi

TheaterAsia · Selcuk, TurkeyBuilt 200 BCE

About

Originally cut into the west slope of Panayır Dağ (Mt Pion) in the Hellenistic period (c. 200 BCE), the theatre was progressively enlarged in the Roman period: the stage building (scaenae frons) was completed under Nero (by 66 CE), the north analemma wall added under Domitian (92 CE), and the south analemma completed under Trajan (102-114 CE) -- meaning the theatre reached essentially its final, largest form (142m diameter, capacity c. 24,000) only shortly before the 117 CE snapshot. Definitely standing and in active use at Trajan's death.

What happened here

Seating is the message: the front rows are reserved by law for the town council, and everyone can see who is sitting where. The building is a half-circle against a tall stone backdrop that also serves as a permanent set, and the acoustics are good enough that an actor can be heard without effort. The programme is mime and pantomime more than the old tragedies — bawdy, topical, sometimes politically sharp enough that performers get exiled. Audiences are loud, partisan, and quite prepared to shout a piece down. Awnings and perfumed water sprays are laid on when the sponsor is generous. Shows are attached to religious festivals and paid for by a magistrate who wants the credit, and his name is on the seating.

In ancient writing

Acts of the Apostles, Acts 19:23–41
The silversmiths' protest against Paul: the crowd sweeps into the theatre and shouts for two hours before the town clerk gets them out.