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View looking south across the Commercial Agora at its southern entrance. On the left (east) is a two–storey colonnade on top of which a Basilica was built during the reign of Nero (r. A.D. 54–68). In the center of the image is the Mazeus Gate, which was the southern entrance to the Agora.
The white kevlar covering protects the well–preserved Terrace Houses. To the right of them, the façade of the Library of Celsus is visible.
The Commercial Agora is very large, measuring 360 ft. x 360 ft. [110 m. x 110 m.]. It was probably here that Demetrius and other silversmiths produced and sold their silver shrines of Artemis. These were the men who caused a riot over their loss of trade as Paul’s preaching of Christ became more successful (Acts 19:23-28).
Paul may have even had a tent (leather/canvas) shop in this agora during his three-year stay in Ephesus – on his third journey. Indeed, he may have even "witnessed" to those who came to this agora
The riot of the silversmiths and other Ephesians described in Acts (19:28-41)—when, in the Theater, they shouted: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians" for about two hours (19:34)—began here. There is no evidence that Paul was presented to the mob, nor that he ever actually preached in the Theater.
