Five blocks with a letter from the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus

From 162/163 CE, made of marble, found in the west facade of the stage building in the theatre.

The fourth block is a copy and the original is in the British Museum in London

This inscription contains the answer sent by Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus to Ulipius Eurycles, the commissioner of accounts of the gerusia, i.e. the council of the elders of Ephesus. Instead of addressing his query to the proconsul, he had written directly to the emperors, asking if he can:

I. melt down damaged silver statues of earlier emperors to cast portraits of the two rulers;
II. collect partially embezzled funds a second time;
III. reduce or refuse customary referrals.

Image used in

• Ephesos-Museum