It was found in 1866 in the Theatre of Dionysos. Its surface is fully covered with relief scenes, inscriptions and symbols. On one side Helios is depicted as "Kosmokrator", the all-powerful Ruler of the Universe. He is sitting on a throne beneath an arch and holds a whip and three blazing torches. The dogs at his feet most possibly symbolise the sky's bright "dog stars": Sirius and Prokyon. The remainder of the sphere is filled with astral, magical, alchemical and geometrical symbols, allegorical animal scenes, numbers and incomprehensible inscriptions, perhaps invocations to Helios. Only one word, carved inside one of five intersecting circles, is clearly read: ΑΙΘΗΡ, which is the first of nature's five elements (ether, earth, water, fire and air).

The sphere is considered to be a magical object which relates to the worship of Helios. As it was found in the Theatre of Dionysos it may be connected with some form of magical rite that would secure the victory of the sphere's owner in an athletic or a theatrical contest.