Wood, John T.: Discoveries at Ephesus: including the site and remains of the Great Temple of Diana (London, 1877)

Great
Theatre.

CHAPTER IV.

The Great Theatre—Inscriptions from Temple of Artemis—Other Inscrip-
tions—The Great Salutarian Inscription—Image of Artemis—Sculpture
—Survey of Buildings—Accident—Obstinacy—Priene—Ill-health—Head
of Lucius Verus—Search for Temple Resumed—City Wall—Rubbish
Heap—A Hundred and Ten Inscriptions—Change of Residence—Fate
of Chalet—Magnesian Gate Found—Coressian Gate—Mounts Prion and
Coressus—Old Legend—H.M.S. 'Terrible'—Quarters for Crew—Men of
the ' Terrible' at Ephesus—A Quaint Petty Officer—Skill of Workmen
at the British Museum—Officers of the 'Terrible'—New Ganger—Threats
of Violence—Suspected Murder—A Greek Marriage—Longevity—Arrest
of Workmen—Murdered Man Exhumed—Prisoners—Patience of Mudir
—State of the Country—My Reception at the Konak—Liberation of
Prisoners—Return to Ephesus—Murder made Easy.

In the month of February 1866, having obtained the
necessary advances from the Trustees, I began in good
earnest the exploration of the Great Theatre, which is one
of the largest in Asia Minor. It is built on the western
slope of Mount Coressus, and from the upper seats may be
seen a long strip of blue sea. Its diameter is 495 feet, and
like most theatres of this description, it is of a horse-shoe
form. As the wings approach the proscenium, the width
is diminished by 28 feet, the measurement at the end of
the walls being 467 feet. By my computations this vast
theatre was capable of seating 24,500 persons. A large
archway on the north side of the outer wall of the audi-