Prytaneion, Ephesus

The ancient Greek and Roman city of Ephesus is located on the west coast of Asia Minor. In Roman Times, Ephesus had some 250,000 citizens. Ephesus was destroyed by the Goths in 263 AD, but still existed during the Byzantine period. The Prytaneion, situated immediately to the Odeon's west, was the town hall of the autonomous city of Ephesus. It also held ceremonies, banquets and other important events. The Assembly Hall was preceded by a Doric courtyard with a decorated mosaic floor. Originally built probably during the reign of Lysimachos (circa 360–281 BC), the current remains are dated to the reign of Emperor Augustus (circa 27 BC – 14 AD). Columns with composite capitals found there, indicate to renovations the structure underwent in the 3rd Century AD. Part of the structure was demolished circa 400 AD by Scholastikia who used the building material to renovate the monumental Baths in Ephesus named after her. However, two statues of Artemis Ephesia that stood in the Prytaneion in Pagan Times (one is dated to 81-96 AD, the other to 117-138 AD) were not touched.