Great Theatre of Ephesus
Great Theatre of Ephesus features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Ephesus. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type theater
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Ephesus Ephesus guide
About Great Theatre of Ephesus
The largest theatre in Ephesus, a vast semicircle cut into Mount Pion seating an estimated 25,000, remembered in Acts as the scene of a riot against Paul.
The Great Theatre is the largest theatre in Ephesus, cut into the western slope of Mount Pion, with a seating capacity estimated at around 25,000. It began as a Hellenistic theatre in the third century BC and was greatly enlarged during the Roman period, with major construction spanning roughly the reigns of Claudius to Trajan. The semicircular seating bank rises about thirty metres above the orchestra, divided into three tiers by two walkways.
The theatre opened westward toward the Arcadian Way, the colonnaded avenue that led down to the harbour, for Ephesus was a major Roman port whose harbour later silted up, leaving the ruins several kilometres inland. According to the Book of Acts, the theatre was the scene of a riot stirred by the silversmith Demetrius against the apostle Paul. It was later also adapted for Roman spectacles, and a gladiator cemetery has been excavated nearby.
Did you know? According to the New Testament Book of Acts, this theatre filled with a furious crowd protesting the apostle Paul, chanting 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians' for about two hours.
How long is a visit to Great Theatre of Ephesus?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Great Theatre of Ephesus. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Great Theatre of Ephesus worth your time?
Great Theatre of Ephesus is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Ephesus, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Ephesus
Day 1 of the Ephesus in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Great Theatre of Ephesus
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