Aspendos
Aspendus (Turkey)
| | | | Aspendos or Aspendus (Greek Άσπενδος) was an ancient Greco-Roman city in Antalya province of Turkey. It is located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of central Serik. Turning off the Antalya-Alanya road at kilometer 30 in the direction of the village of Belkis we come to the best-preserved ancient theater in Turkey. Aspendos was also used as a caravansarai in later years. Caravansarai's are found on the silk route every 27km. | | Aspendos : Virtual tour |  | 8 sections and 3 items |
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| Aspendos : History | |
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Aspendos is located in the Pamphylian plain at 47 km east of Antalya near the village of Belkis. In ancient times Aspendos was a river port city that, according to legend, was founded by colonists from Argos - Greece when they returned from the Trojan War. More probably its roots were Phoenician or Hittite. Like many other cities in the fertile plain of Pamphylia, Aspendos fell under the sovereignty of the Lydians and Persians. The city first came to prominence in 479 BC when the Persian navy was destroyed by the Greeks, under the command of Cimon, in a bloody naval battle at the mouth of the nearby Eurymedon River (present Köprüçay meaning Bridge River). Afterwards, the fighting continued on land. Once again, though significantly outnumbered, the Greeks defeated the Persians. After passing into and out of Greek and Persian hands, Aspendos submitted to Alexander the Great ca. 333 BC.
After Alexander's death Aspendos became part of the Seleucid kingdom of Syria. Later, the city became part of the kingdom of Pergamon (Bergama) and eventually was ruled by the Romans for a long period. Aspendos had its most prosperous period in the 2nd and 3rd century AD. From ancient sources we learn that silver and gold embroidered tapestries, ornaments and furniture made from lemon tree wood, wine and horses were exported. During the first and second centuries AD significant building activities took place. |
