Odeon (Small Theater), Ephesus
The Odeon of Ephesus is a compact, semi-circular structure built in the 2nd century AD, serving both civic and cultural functions in the ancient city. Commissioned by the wealthy citizens Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Paiana, the Odeon was used as a Bouleuterion鈥攁 council chamber for political meetings鈥攁nd as a venue for concerts and theatrical performances. With a seating capacity of around 1,500, it was a key gathering space for Ephesus' aristocratic leadership as well as for its cultural life.
Ephesus was governed by two main councils: the Demos, which met in the large theater and represented the general population, and the Bouleia, or senate, which convened in the Odeon. The Bouleia consisted of elite members from the city鈥檚 upper class who wielded significant power, overseeing public construction, collecting taxes, and managing religious, judicial, and executive affairs. Within the Odeon, these leaders would deliberate on crucial matters that shaped the development and governance of the city.
Architecturally, the Odeon featured a two-story stage building originally covered with a wooden roof. A narrow podium stood about one meter above the orchestra and connected to the stage via three doors. The semi-circular seating area was divided by a 鈥渄iazoma,鈥� a circular walkway that separated the upper and lower tiers. Seats closer to the stage were wider and reserved for prominent citizens, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. Parts of the seating and podium have been restored, offering insight into the venue鈥檚 original layout.
Two side corridors provided access to the upper levels, where arched passageways known as 鈥渧omitoria鈥濃�攆rom the Greek word for 鈥渕outh鈥濃�攁llowed latecomers to slip into their seats. These structural features illustrate the careful design of the Odeon to accommodate both efficiency and social order. Though smaller than the main theater of Ephesus, the Odeon was central to the city鈥檚 political decision-making and public entertainment, symbolizing the blend of civic and cultural life in the Roman Empire.
Ephesus was governed by two main councils: the Demos, which met in the large theater and represented the general population, and the Bouleia, or senate, which convened in the Odeon. The Bouleia consisted of elite members from the city鈥檚 upper class who wielded significant power, overseeing public construction, collecting taxes, and managing religious, judicial, and executive affairs. Within the Odeon, these leaders would deliberate on crucial matters that shaped the development and governance of the city.
Architecturally, the Odeon featured a two-story stage building originally covered with a wooden roof. A narrow podium stood about one meter above the orchestra and connected to the stage via three doors. The semi-circular seating area was divided by a 鈥渄iazoma,鈥� a circular walkway that separated the upper and lower tiers. Seats closer to the stage were wider and reserved for prominent citizens, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. Parts of the seating and podium have been restored, offering insight into the venue鈥檚 original layout.
Two side corridors provided access to the upper levels, where arched passageways known as 鈥渧omitoria鈥濃�攆rom the Greek word for 鈥渕outh鈥濃�攁llowed latecomers to slip into their seats. These structural features illustrate the careful design of the Odeon to accommodate both efficiency and social order. Though smaller than the main theater of Ephesus, the Odeon was central to the city鈥檚 political decision-making and public entertainment, symbolizing the blend of civic and cultural life in the Roman Empire.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ephesus. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Odeon (Small Theater) on Map
Sight Name: Odeon (Small Theater)
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ephesus, Turkey
Create Your Own Walk in Ephesus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ephesus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ephesus Introduction Walking Tour
Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Sel茍uk in western Turkey. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities in the world and is one of T眉rkiye鈥檚 most significant ancient cities. Its cultural and historical significance was highlighted in its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2015. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Selcuk Introduction Walking Tour
Sel莽uk is a town near Izmir, in western Turkey. It鈥檚 the gateway to Ephesus, a vast, ancient city with the remains of a large theater and the Library of Celsus. South is the House of Virgin Mary, a domed chapel and religious shrine. Near Sel莽uk, a marble column is one of a few remains of the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesus Museum has more items from the temple, plus other artifacts excavated... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles