CH Before Excavation 1

View looking south at the interior of the Council House (Bouleuterion) at Patara before its excavation and restoration.  The "stage" area is left of center, one of the vaulted entrances is just above the center of the image, and the outline of the semi-circular seating area is visible in the foreground.

The bouleuterion is in the shape of a small theater and could seat about 1,000 people.  There originally were 13 rows of seats—now under reconstruction when the photo was taken.  According to an inscription, a roof covered it. 

Here not only did the council of the city of Patara meet, but according to ancient sources so did the "Lycian League."

Click Here for important comments on this league and its relationship to the US House of Representatives.