Behind
the basilica is the Prytaneion,
where religious ceremonies , official
receptions and banquets were held. The
sacred flame symbolizing the heart
of Ephesus was kept constantly alight
in the Prytaneion. The construction
of the building dates to the 3rd century
B.C, during the reign of Lysimachos, but
the ruins of the complex dates to the
Augustan age.
The
four-cornered pit in which the sacred
fire is burned is a relic from the reign
of Lysimachos. The front of the building
is four columns, beyond the columns is
a courtyard surrounded by a portico, and
on the north is the center of the building,
the ceremonial hall, and its side rooms.
The eternal flame was here in the center
of the ceremonial hall, the red color
on the floor determined the location of
the flame. Towards the back, there was
a large area with wooden roof, the base
of an altar is still recognizable today.
The
double columns on the corners of the hall
held up the wooden roof. During excavations,
archeologists found 2 artemis statues,
which are now presented in Ephesus
museum.
