Aspendos (Turkey) – a detailed description with a photo. Interesting Facts about Aspendos and location on the map.
Contents
Aspendos (Turkey)
Aspendos is an antique city in southern Turkey, located 35 km from Antalya and 16 km from the Mediterranean coast. Presents imposing ancient ruins which are one of the most famous sights of the region. Most impressive Aspendosa’s construction is a magnificent Roman theater which considered one of the best preserved buildings of its kind outside of Italy.
Story
Scientists believe that Aspendos was founded in 1000 BC. and reached its heyday by the 5th century BC. By the middle of the first millennium to AD The city became one of the most important shopping centers of Pamphylia. AT antiquity the river Evrimedon was navigable and Aspendos grew rich trade in salt, wool and oil.
Aspendos Scheme
In the future, the city belonged to the Lycians, Persians and Greeks. In 333 BC Aspendos became part of Alexander’s empire Macedonian. In the 2nd century BC, the region was conquered by the Roman the empire at which it reached its highest peak. Romans built at the mouth of the river port, which traded grain, wine, ornaments and horses
Roman theater
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Aspendos became part of Byzantium. AT Byzantine period the city fell into disrepair, aided by constant raids of the Arabs. In the 13th century, Aspendos was captured by the Seljuks, under which he was abandoned.
Sights of Aspendos
Roman theater
The Roman Theater is the main attraction of Aspendos. it a grand antique building was built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Antique aqueduct
An aqueduct was provided to supply Aspendos with water. Before of our time, almost 15 km of this ancient hydraulic structures.
Bridge over Evrimedon
After the conquest of Aspendos, the Seljuks reconstructed the ancient Roman bridge over the river Evrimedon.
Interesting Facts
- The Roman theater has a diameter of 96 meters. It contained 12,000 viewers (according to other sources 15 000).
- The Seljuks used the theater as a caravanserai.
- Aspendos began printing coins in the 5th century BC.
- The theater hosts an international festival of opera and the ballet.
- According to legend, Aspendos was founded by the Greeks after the Trojan of war.
- In Turkey, the city is also known as Belkis or Belkiz.
