Jahreshefte des Österreichischen Archäologischen Institutes in Wien, Band 80/2011, pp. 341-364, 2024/10/08
After the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos lost its religious significance, the sanctuary fell victim to extensive stone robbery and fell into obscurity. The foundations, covered by 8 m high earth levels, were rediscovered in 1869. In the following 125 years of research, the Temple of Artemis was the primary focus of archaeological fieldwork, while the once densely built up sacred enclosure remained unexplored. Since 2009 the
Austrian Archaeological Institute has been investigating for the first time a Roman building southwest of
the temple. The function of the structure, which has been called until now the ›Tribune‹, can finally be clarified. Due to close typological parallels, as well as equipment and furnishing, the building can be identified as a Roman Odeion, a building type known as a venue for musical contests. The existence of such competitions as part of the holy games for Artemis of Ephesos is attested by inscriptions mentioning the victory of an actor, a rhetor and a poet of encomia within the framework of musical contests during the Artemisia.
