Ephesus: Odeion(Bouleuterion)-The Baths of Varius

The Odeion, in which State affairs and concerts were held, was ordered to be construct by Publius Vedius Antoninus and his wife Flavia Papiana, two wealthy citizens of Ephesus, in the 2nd century AD.

The Odeion seated an audience of 1450 and was enclosed. Since the podium next to the orchestra and the stage section do not conform to the style of a typical Roman theatre, the structure was most likely used primarly as a meeting hall for the Municipal Council. The location of government structures alongside strengthens this view.

To the east of the Basilica is a large structure built of cut blocks of marble known as the Baths of Varius. Built with its north and east walls carved from natural outcroppings of rock, the baths were constructed in the 2nd century AD. and restored on numerous occasions, of which the 40 metres long corridor covered with mosaics from the 5th century is in evidence. With its frigidarium, tepidarium and caldarium, and other adjacent sections, the baths covers a fairly large area. To the south of the baths is a large public toilet from the Roman Period and other structures which were unearthed during excavations in 1969.

This structure was possibly a gymnasium and Vedia Faedrina, daughter of Vedius Antonius, one of the wealthy citizens of Ephesus, and the famous sophist P. Flavius Daminianus each had a room added to the structure. The building uderwent major alterations during the Byzantine Period.

During the reconstruction of the city following the eartquake at the beginning of IInd century AD they had built also baths. The monumental ruins at the entrance are the vestiges. The greater part of these baths which consist of a frigidarium are in good condition. The palestra is in the east where physical exercises were made. This section measuring 36 m by 52 m has two large ha1ls one of which belonged to the notable personalities of the state and the other was reserved for ceremonies. Here was a large space where sportsmen made their exercies. The baths are constructed on the same plan as the Roman baths: a large space flanked by chambers, seconded by another rectangular space surrounded by chambers containing pools.

In these chambers containing pools were large windows opening on to the south. Today it is not possible to delineate this uncovered space. The top was covered with bricks and the interior was paved with marble. Today the chambers where people changed serve as museum. In the IInd century AD towards the Tripolis, close by the north port is another bath. The periphery of the caldarium has two rectangular pieces with double apse. The structure was transformed into a church at the end of Vth century. It seems that these baths were covered by vaults and the hal1s were paved with marbles.