Description
The theatre of Ephesus was used for plays and concerts, but also for religious and political gatherings. Many carvings of gladiators, such as this one, were found in Ephesus, testifying to the gladiatorial contests that were also held here. Paul’s counsel to the believers in his Epistle to the Ephesians to “Put on the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6.11) would have struck home with some force. His mentioning in 1 Corinthians 15.32 that he “fought with beasts at Ephesus,” is usually taken metaphorically as Paul was a Roman citizen.