Theater (Exterior)

View looking east at the Theater of Ephesus. The theater is located on the west side of Mt. Pion and faces west. It could seat 24,000 people.

It was originally constructed in the Hellenistic period, but Claudius and Trajan made significant alterations during their reigns (A.D. 41-54 and 98-117) – thus it was under renovation when Paul was in Ephesus on his Third Journey.

The riot of the silversmiths and other Ephesians described in Acts (19:28-41) - when they shouted: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians" for about two hours (19:34) - took place here. There is no evidence that Paul was presented to the mob, nor that he ever actually preached in the Theater.

The street in the foreground, called the Arcadian Way led from the Theater to the Port of Ephesus.

For a Map and a brief description of Ephesus Click Here.