The Bouleuterion

A building for the elected council

 

The city council building (bouleuterion), was built soon after 100 AD on a natural terrace to the west of the Upper Agora, flanked by a courtyard. This building is evidence that, Sagalassos had an elected and active city council (boulé) at that time. The institution was already old by then: from the 4th century BC onwards Sagalassos was a polis (city-state) based on the Greek model, with elected magistrates and written laws. This model continued during the Roman period, although civic institutions were dominated by a few elite families, replacing democracy with oligarchy.

 

The Bouleuterion had a strong symbolic meaning for Sagalassians. It was a reference point for many later buildings and monuments of the upper town, which followed its alignment. The rectangular limestone building itself was rather sober. It could seat 220 elected members.

 

A frieze on the outside of the monument depicts weaponry and busts of the war gods Ares and Athena, which suggested Sagalassos’ military prowess. Corinthian style half capitals were used inside the building, a new and fashionable style in Pisidia at that time. From 200 AD onwards the Bouleuterion was no longer used and the city council probably met in the Odeon instead.