diary of a guide (Ephesus)

Theatre

This is the most magnificent structure in Ephesus ancient city. The Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite the Harbor Street, and easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but then during the Roman Period, it was enlarged and formed its current style that is seen today.
It is the largest in Anatolia and has the capacity of 25,000 seats. The cavea has sixty six rows of seats, divided by two diazoma (walkway between seats) into three horizontal sections. There are three sections of seats. In the lower section, Marble pieces, used for restoration, and the Emperor's Box were found. The seats with backs ,made of marble, were reserved for important people. The audience entered from the upper cavea.
The stage building is three-storied and 18 meters high. The facade facing the audience was ornamented with relieves, columns with niches, windows and statues. There are five doors opening to the orchestra area, the middle one of which is wider than the rest. This enhanced the appearance of the stage, giving it a bigger, monumental look.
The theatre was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights.
The Great Theatre of Ephesus
The Big Riot Against Paul at the Theatre of Ephesus
At that particular time there arose no little disturbance concerning The Way. 24 For a certain man named De·me´tri·us, a silversmith, by making silver shrines of Ar´te·mis furnished the craftsmen no little gain; 25 and he gathered them and those who worked at such things and said: “Men, YOU well know that from this business we have our prosperity. 26 Also, YOU behold and hear how not only in Eph´e·sus but in nearly all the [district of] Asia this Paul has persuaded a considerable crowd and turned them to another opinion, saying that the ones that are made by hands are not gods. 27 Moreover, the danger exists not only that this occupation of ours will come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Ar´te·mis will be esteemed as nothing and even her magnificence which the whole [district of] Asia and the inhabited earth worships is about to be brought down to nothing.” 28 Hearing this and becoming full of anger, the men began crying out, saying: “Great is Ar´te·mis of the E·phe´sians!”
29 So the city became filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed into the theatre, taking forcibly along with them Ga´ius and Ar·is·tar´chus, Mac·e·do´ni·ans, traveling companions of Paul. 30 For his part, Paul was willing to go inside to the people, but the disciples would not permit him. 31 Even some of the commissioners of festivals and games, who were friendly to him, sent to him and began pleading for him not to risk himself in the theatre. 32The fact is, some were crying out one thing and others another; for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority of them did not know the reason why they had come together. 33 So together they brought Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews thrusting him up front; and Alexander motioned with his hand and was wanting to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, one cry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours: “Great is Ar´te·mis of the E·phe´sians!”
35 When, finally, the city recorder had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Eph´e·sus, who really is there of mankind that does not know that the city of the E·phe´sians is the temple keeper of the great Ar´te·mis and of the image that fell from heaven? 36Therefore since these things are indisputable, it is becoming for YOU to keep calm and not act rashly. 37 For YOU have brought these men who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 Therefore if De·me´tri·us and the craftsmen with him do have a case against someone, court days are held and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another. 39 If, though, YOU are searching for anything beyond that, it must be decided in a regular assembly. 40 For we are really in danger of being charged with sedition over today’s affair, no single cause existing that will permit us to render a reason for this disorderly mob.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

TİYATRO
Efes Harabelerinin en güzel yapılarından biri olan tiyatro oldukça sağlam kalmış ve restorasyonlarlabugün de Efes Festivali gibi şenliklerde rahatlıkla kullanılmaktadır.Bu güzel ve 25.000 kişi kapasiteli büyük bir tiyatronun kuzey batısında 2 ionik sütunlu hellenistik bir çeşme yerleştirilmiştir.Tiyatronun ilk kez hellenistik dönemde yapıldığı bilinmekte ise de bugüne gelen tiyatronun İmparator Cladius zamanında yeniden inşaasına başlatıldığı,İmparator Trianus (98-117) döneminde tamamlandığı bilinmektedir.Tiyatronun ön kısmında oldukça sağlam ve iri taşlardan yapılmış soyunma yerleri belirgin şekilde görülmektedir.Bu mekanlar günümüzde " Efes Festivali " için sanatçıların soyunma yerleri olarak kullanımaktadır.İlk döneminde 3 katlı olan tiyatro her biri 22şer basamaklı üç bölümden oluşur.Sahne binası 18 metre yüksekliğindedir.MS. 54 yıllarında St.Paul un bu tiyatrodan Efese seslendiği ve büyük tepkiyle karşılandığı rivayet edilir.25X40 ebatlarındaki sahnenin arka duvarları son derece süslü ve nişler içinde heykellerin bulunduğu bir görünüm taşımaktadır.Akustiğin çok iyi olduğu tiyatroda,sahnenin görünmesini sağlamak açısından tribün çok dik inşaa edilmiştir.