the Grand Theatre of Ephesus

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The ancient Grand Theatre looking down Harbour Street.

The Grand Theatre has survived from Antiquity relatively well. This was the theatre in which the events of Acts Chapter 19:21ff were played out. The acoustics of Greco-Roman theatres are excellent so there was no need for a microphone or megaphone when Alexander or the grammateus (mayor, but usually translated ‘town clerk’) addressed the multitude.

The theatre was cut into the hillside and was commenced before the turn of the eras. It was increased in diameter under the Emperor Claudius (41-54 A.D.) and it was this version of the theatre that St Paul would have known. It was extended to its final size and seating capacity (of over 24,000) during the Emperor Trajan’s period (98-117 A.D.).

The remains of buildings visible to the right of Harbour Street may have included a synagogue as some artefacts bearing Jewish symbols (such as the menorah) have been found in that area, but the synagogue in which Paul preached has not yet been found.

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