Large ATP-dependent proteolytic complexes carry out the majority of intracellular proteolysis. To begin to understand the function of these proteases at a structural level, we have combined the information from a number of biophysical techniques such as electron microscopy (EM), small-angle scattering, and x-ray crystallography. In this study, we exploited the inherent symmetry of Escherichia coli ClpP, the proteolytic component of the ClpAP/XP ATP-dependent protease, to determine its x-ray crystal structure to 2.3-Angstrom resolution starting with a phase set derived from a low-resolution mask obtained from EM and small-angle x-ray scattering analysis. Sevenfold and 14-fold noncrystallographic symmetry averaging facilitated phase extension beyond 20 Angstrom and in combination with mask redetermination and matrix refinement was sufficient for completely determining the structure. The structure of ClpP is a homo-tetradecamer composed of two heptameric rings enclosing a cavity of similar to 50 Angstrom in diameter that compartmentalizes the 14 serine proteolytic active sites. Comparison of the ClpP structure with those of the 20S proteasome and HslV reveals a striking example of evolutionary convergence, despite them being unrelated in sequence and fold. Moreover, similarity in their overall architecture suggests a common model for their action.