Athletic exhibitions and the contests held on important holidays took place in the city stadium, situated in the southern part of the town. It measured 191 x 20 meters, and on one side there was a large area, surrounded by columns to protect it from the rain, and entered by wide steps. It was built in 130 B.C. There are only seating accomodations on one side. The youths of Priene spent their time playing games in natural surroundings, developing their bodies, and taking part in contests in the stadium.
These exercises were not an end in themselves: they were intended to make the body beautiful with strength and agility. Thus physical training was interpreted as a means to beauty.