Bouleuterion (Priene)

 ancient, interesting place, historic ruins

One of the best preserved buildings at Priene is the Bouleterion, where meetings of the city council were held. It was built around 200 B.C.E. and contains seating for approximately 640 people. The building itself almost has the appearance of a Greek theater, except that it is in the shape of a square over 14 meters wide, with rows of stone benches on three sides. It had a wooden roof that has not survived. In the very center, there is an altar decorated with reliefs.

The two pictures are both from Dick Osseman's photo gallery of his trip to Priene, and give the same view of the Bouleuterion, one as it is now and the other is a reconstruction of what it would have looked like during its use.
www.pbase.com/dosseman/newpriene&page=3

Gates, Charles. Ancient Cities. London: Routledge, 2003. 263-268.