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The Aphrodisias stadium is the largest and the best maintained
building of the city. This stadium which is situated in the north of the city is
one of the most important 'antique buildings of the world. The ellipse shaped
building with a semicircle on both ends had seat series for 30,000 spectators.
Because of its ellipse shape, every spectator was able to look at the
presentations comfortably. The stages were used principally for athletic
presentations. If necessary, other competitions, or citizens voting were held
there as well. One entered the stadium through two double vaults. After the
earthquake in the 7th century, the stadium suffered serious damages. The
semicircle in the East was converted by adding some walls into a circle and
userS as an arena. The seat rows were put on the slanting vaults, which were
used as a store and storage. The high walls to the north of the
stadium are parts of the protection walls, which surrounded the city. Because
the walls were constructed later than the stadium, this part was usable, The
curved entrance in the west was closed up during the construction of the walls.
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