Located in the center of Ephesos, the ancient theater of Ephesos was built on the slope of Panayır Mountain at the intersection of Harbor Street and Marble Street. This strategic position highlights the importance of the theater within the urban fabric of the city since its foundation. As one of the largest theaters in Asia Minor, it is regarded by archaeologists as one of the largest human-made theaters. Another remarkable feature that sets the ancient theater of Ephesos apart is that it is the first and only ancient theater with a three-story stage structure.
The construction of the theater dates back to the 3rd century BCE. Between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE, during the Roman Empire, the theater underwent numerous modifications, expansions, and reconstructions in parallel with the growing population and importance of Ephesos. Taking its final form during this period, the theater stands out with its three-story colonnaded stage structure, orchestra, and audience section divided into three tiers. In its prime, the theater had a seating capacity of approximately 23.000 to 25.000 spectators and hosted cultural and religious-themed events, political meetings, and large-scale public entertainment.
With the changing understanding of entertainment during the Roman period, bloody contests such as gladiator and animal fights gained popularity. By the late 1st century CE, these types of shows were included in the Roman Empire’s festival calendar and began to be held in Ephesos. Between the 5th and 6th centuries CE, the stairways and entrances providing access to different levels of the audience section were incorporated into the defense line of the city’s contracted walls, rendering the theater largely closed off and unusable.
The first excavations at the ancient theater of Ephesos were initiated in the second half of the 19th century by John Turtle Wood, as part of the work conducted on behalf of the British Museum. Detailed excavations of the theater were carried out between 1896 and the 1970s. During this time, the theater’s seating sections and inner parts were fully unearthed and underwent extensive restoration. Following these efforts, the theater was opened for use as an event venue. In the early 1990s, a new restoration project was launched to further strengthen the surviving sections, and this work continued until 2011.
Today, the ancient theater of Ephesos remains one of the rare ancient structures that still serves its original purpose. Just as in its historical periods, it continues to host cultural events and performances.