The theater of Ephesus. Archaeological context, findings, ...

In this volume of the Forschungen in Ephesos the recent archaeological examinations at the Theater of Ephesus are published. Beside the results of the excavations the volume incorporates the analysis of the various find categories, such as pottery and glass, terracotta, sculptures, small finds, coins as well as archaeozoological and epigraphical finds. With this, the reader can comprehensively impart and review the architectural development of the theater in the course of the eight building or usage phases. The location of the theater took advantage of the natural topography on the western slope of the Panayirdag where a monumental, over 70m long terrace wall provided the building site for the stage building. While the location for the theater was probably determined by Lysimachus during the planning for the refoundation of the city in the early 3rd century BC, the analysis of the finds from the excavations in the two-storied Hellenistic skene points to the start of construction in the second quarter of the 2nd century BC. Until now, no chronological evidence could be detected for the koilon, but it can be assumed that its erection preceded that of the stage building. After first modifications during the years 51/50 BC the theater underwent a profound transformation during the reign of the emperors Domitian (completion of the northern wing 92 BC) and Traian (finishing of the work in the southern wing between 102 and 112 BC). This includes also the renewal of the stage building with the erection of the magnificent, now three-storied eastern façade as well as the construction of the Roman stage. Especially the large-scale structural enhancement of the auditorium in the North- and South-wing of the building necessitated a new circulation and supply system for the visitors. Though in front of the South- façade, an impressive staircase gave access to three vaulted corridors which enabled entering from the outside to the three horizontal circular galleries leading to further stairways and the seats inside the theater. A similar staircase may be assumed in the front of the North-façade. The erection of the water conduit of Aristion, of which the line passed under the koilon of the theater, can be attributed to this building period as well. Further extensive building activities on the northern wing probably result from earthquake damages during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and led to a strongly limited use or even abandonment of the northern accesses. From the late 5th century AD on the theater lost continuously its original function and was finally according to further specific architectural modifications during the the late 6th and early 7th century AD integrated into the Byzantine fortifications.