Dedicated around AD 89 to the Flavian emperors, the Temple of the Sebastoi stood on the upper terrace of Ephesus and made the city twice neokoros — twice temple-keeper — its proudest civic distinction. With the honour came the festivals: sacrifices, loyalty oaths, games and banquets, organised across the whole province. For most Ephesians this was not tyranny at all. It was simply what a loyal city did.