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The Prytaneum

Home → Ephesus → The Prytaneum

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This is the building at the west end of the Odeum and of which a part of the thick columns have been reerected. The Prytaneum (Prytaneion), was the edifice where the executive council (Prytanes) ruling Ephesus had their meetings, ate their meals, received official guests and honoured them. It was also called the municipality building.

The head of the executive committee was called the Prytan and was selected from among the elite families of Ephesus. He had also to be rich because he would pay for most of the expenditures relating to the city from his own budget. The Prytan’s essential task was to watch over the cults in the city, to organize the ceremonies and to continue the social life of the city. Furthermore, he had to see that the sacred hearth of Hestia situated in the middle of the building was kept burning perpetually. This hearth was kept alive representing all the hearths in Ephesus.

The square shaped area made of darker stones in the hall of the building is the place of the sacred hearth. The famous statues of Artemis on display in the Ephesus Museum were found buried in the Prytaneum. It is understood that at the time of the Iconoclasts the Prytaneum was destroyed but that the destroyers did not dare touch the statues of Artemis.

The Prytaneum, with its façade of six thick columns, had the aspect of a Doric temple. There were double columns in the corners of the main hall in the middle of which stood the sacred hearth. The surrounding buildings served the functions of the Prytaneum.

The inscriptions on the columns are the lists of names of the Curetes. The order of priests called the Curetes who were formerly in the Temple of Artemis were later given a place in the Prytaneum. The Prytaneum was built in the 1st century BC. Restoration is going on at present.

 

Prytaneum, Ephesus

Prytaneum, Ephesus

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Rating: +690 (from 690 votes)
The Prytaneum, 100% based on 690 ratings
6 Reviews
  1. ashley
    10:01 pm on October 29, 2003

    Ephesus was the highlight of my trip to Turkey. The ruins are unbelievable and the history is just as fascinating.

    Reply
  2. Trista.Z.D
    3:51 pm on February 15, 2005

    Prytaneion, Ephesus

    prytaneion ephesus

    This municipal building housed an eternal flame which was the symbol of the city and from which everyone lit their home fireplaces. Members of the most elite families were chosen to hold the job of Prytan, or maintainer of the flame.

    Reply
  3. Hanna
    7:57 pm on June 11, 2009

    Ephesus is a great site to visit with so much detailed history to explore! It’s amazing that so much has been preserved and is still standing.

    Reply
  4. nuru
    3:01 pm on May 25, 2010

    Ephesus is amazing place to visit !

    Reply
  5. Catherine.C
    11:06 am on February 15, 2012

    Just wonderfull I like the Great Thaetre and Prytaneion, I do recommend evry travellers, There you must spend minimum 3 to 4 hours.

    Reply
  6. zeus
    11:23 pm on April 18, 2013

    Prytaneion

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    prytaneion ephesus

    prytaneion ephesus

    prytaneion ephesus

    prytaneion ephesus

    prytaneion ephesus

    prytaneion ephesus

    Reply
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ephesus tours

The big tip is to try and go completely private. Many of the large tour companies offer private tour and they are going to charge a significant amount of money for the tour guide. However, many locations offer self-guided tours and therefore you have the ability to supply your own tour guide. Easily Book your guided private Ephesus tours, to see all the treasures of Ephesus Turkey. It's often said that Turkey has more ancient cities and classical ruins than does Greece. Well, it's true, and the Aegean coast holds a great number of sites, including Ephesus, the grandest and best-preserved of them all.

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