About 70 yards from the Gymnasium of Vedius is the Stadium, which was built during the time of the Roman Emperor Nero (54-68 A.D.) . The gate of Stadium,however,belongs to the third and fourth centuries.The stadium of the Hellenistic period also stood here,but it was smaller size.

 

It was in the Stadium that athletic games, horse and chariot races and gladiator fights were presented.It is 765 feet long and 100 feet wide.As almost all the seats were removed to the hill of Ayasuluk in the Middle Ages,to be used in the construction of the Byzantine wall there, it is impossible for us to determine the exact arrangement of the spectator's section.We only know that its seating capacity was 75,000.

 

At an excavation to the west of the stadium, 14 pillar bases,marble slabs with reliefs of prizes ; such as a palm branch,a vase, a rabbit and six pairs of columns have been found.All these can be seen at the Stadium of Ephesus.

 

- Please, note that the Stadium of Ephesus are not in the itinerary of any Epheus tours as that part of the city is not yet open to public. -