GTurkiye

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  • Ancient City of Harran, Sanliurfa, Turkey

    Also spelled Haran, Roman Carrhae, ancient city of strategic importance, now a village, in southeastern Turkey. It lies along the Balikh River, 24 miles (38 km) southeast of Urfa. The town was located on the road that ran from Nineveh to Carchemish and was regarded as of considerable importance by the Assyrian kings. Its chief cult in Assyrian times was that of the moon god. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible; Abraham’s family settled there when they left Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:31-32). In Roman times, Carrhae was the scene of a disastrous defeat of the Roman governor Crassus by the Parthians (53 BC; see Carrhae, Battle of) and of a later defeat of the emperor Galerius by the Persian king Narses (AD 297).

    The ruins of the Ulu Cami (mosque) in Harran. This 8th century center of worship and study in the Islamic world is one of the most impressive ruins in the area. According to the Old Testament, Abraham resided here and his father Terah died here. Harran is known for its interesting cone and cubic shaped dwellings. They are made of clay and known to be naturally very suitable for the hot climate of the region. These mud brick houses are up to 4-5 metres high and this height is considered to be the other reason for cool and confortable inside conditions. The present-day town of Harran is about 50Kms to the south of Sanli Urfa, a southeastern province of Turkey.

    According to the tradition, Abraham was moving from Ur to Canaan which was in Promised Land (Gen.11:35), when he rested in Harran. The town is surrounded by a city wall. Although the wall was restored in the 12th century A.D., only five of its 12 original gates have survived till today. The ancient settlement was on and around the hill in the center of the town. This part has not been excavated yet. On the way up the hill there are two doorposts with markers indicating that this place was “Aran’s House” from which Abraham took Sarah.

    Inscriptions indicate that Harran existed as early as 2000 B.C. The place is known to be one of the most important cult centers of that time. The temple of the moon god Sin was here. Sin was one of the great gods of the Assurian Babylonian pantheon.

    The roof of the temple was covered with cedar tree from Lebanon. During early periods Sin was represented with a long beard and a crescent above a horned tiara. This was transformed into a single crescent only during the following centuries. Worshipping Sin continued until 6th century A.D. in Harran.

    Harran became the capital city to Assurians during the reign of king Assurbanipal in the 7th century B.C. The Roman army led by Crassus in 53 B.C. was defeated by the Parthians in front of Harran and Crassus was killed. In 217 A.D. (April 6th), Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Cracalla was murdered here while he was on his way from Temple of Sin to the palace. Sin was an important god of Romans. A citadel was built in the 14th century in place of the Temple of Sin. This lies in the south-west quarter of the town.

    The 8th century A.D. mosque called Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) which lies to the north slope of the hill. It dates back to the Omayad period. The tombstones of the Babylonian king Nabouid were found in this mosque and are on exhibition in the museum of Urfa today. The region has always been considered a very sipiritual ground by many cultures. The remains of the cult Holy Planet or Sabiers is only 60 Kms away from Harran. On an area with 1 Km radius there are various temples devoted to the cults of Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mercury. The Sabier cult maintained its existance until the 17th century A.D.

  • Ancient City of Cyaneae, Mugla, Turkey

    Cyaneae is a Greek name meaning “dark blue”. It is not known why the city was given this name. It is certain however, that this was one of Lycia’s important cities, given it strategic location and its large settlement area. Although it is listed by almost all the ancient geographers, they give no information at all about it. What little knowledge we have comes from a few inscriptions. One of these concerns a wealthy citizen ofs Cyaneae named Jason. During the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) Jason is found donating money to the region’s cities and receiving the title of Lyciarches, or chairman of the Lycian League.

    The city, situated atop a steep hill rising to the north of today’s village of Yavu, is enclosed on three sides by fortification walls. Only on the south, where natural barriers make access difficult, did the residents not feel the need for fortifications. These walls, which for the most part date to later periods, are of poor construction, employing reused materials gathered from here and there. Three standing gates on the north and west walls gave entrance to the city. Hidden among trees and brush on a hill that can be called the acropolis, are structural remains.

    A Roman bath, consisting of compartments whose function is not yet known, can be seen in the southwest section of the hill. A little further on ıs a splendid fourth century B.C. sarcophagus, still partially buried, with a relief-carved lid a body inscribed in Lycian. Cyaneae’s best preserved structure is its second century A.D. theatre on the west of the acropolis.

    Set in a natural slope, the cave, which rises on small polygonal blocks, numbers eleven tiers of seats, and probably held wooden supports for awnings unfurled to protect the spectators from the sun. The stage is in such a poor state of preservation that it yields no clue as to its construction. On the path between the theatre and the acropolis is the necropolis area containing hundreds of sarcophagi. Here one feels one has returned to an ancient era. Almost all of the sarcophagi which exist here, and a variety of forms not seen elsewhere in Lycia, are Roman in character. Rock cut tombs of early date are located on difficult to reach cliffs on the southern face of the hill.

    A tomb resembling a simple lonic temple is especially interesting. According to the Greek inscription on its door, the actual sarcophagus belonged to one Perpenesis and his wife, while the remainder of the tomb was divided among their relatives. The inscription also states that the tomb was not to be opened without the consent of the mindis, apparently an official organization that protected the tombs from vandalism and robbery. The tomb has been dated to the third century B.C.

  • The ancient city of Hierapolis, Denizli, Turkey

    hierapolis turkiye

    Ancient Hierapolis appears to have been founded by King Eumenes II of Pergamon and its name is derived from Hiera, the wife of King Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamon. The city became subject to Rome in 133 B.C. In 17 B.C. during the reign of Tiberius it suffered a heavy earthquake that substantially destroyed the city, requiring it to be rebuilt. Preliminary excavations at Hierapolis were undertaken by a German team towards the end of the last century. Since 1957, excavation and restoration work has been going on under the direction of an Italian group of archaeologists.

    The ancient city was strung out on either side of a long colonnaded street called the Plateia. Measuring 13 meters in width, this street ran north and south from the southern gateway to the Arch of Domitian in the north. It is paved with huge blocks of limestone. The first structure one encounters on reaching the plateau is the city baths, which are in a very good state of preservation. The baths are Roman and from the 2nd century A.D. In the eastern part of the baths is a palaestra measuring 36.13 by 52.25 meters. Immediately to the north and south of the palaestra are two big rooms that were reserved for the emperor and ceremonial use.

    A large hall stretches the length of the western side of the palaestra and this was the gymnasium used by athletes. This salon led into the frigidarium from which one proceeded to the barrel-vaulted rooms of the caldarium. A small room adjacent to the large hall now serves as a museum in which works discovered in the Hierapolis excavations are on display. Since Hierapolis was principally a luxury resort town it was richly adorned with magnificent sculptures showing the influence of the Aphrodisias (q.v.) school and is well worth a visit.

    The well preserved theater of Hierapolis commands magnificent view of the plain below. The original theater was located above the northern gate, but when the city was rebuilt during the reign of the Flavian emperors (60 A.D.) the theater was relocated here, and the seats from the old structure were used in the work. During the reign of Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.) the theater’s skene was modified and richly decorated with reliefs. In 532 it was discovered that the sekene had been weakened by age and the almost daily seismic activity that takes place here and had to be reinforced.

    Since the theater has been restored, it is now possible to see the friezes of mythological scenes depicting Apollo and Artemis in their original positions. Thirty rows of the seats of this theater resting against the slope have survived. Originally there were 20 rows in the lower part and 25 in the upper separated by a diazoma. The cavea was divided by eight aisles. Passing through the city walls above the theater we proceed to the Martyrion of St Philip. This is an octagonal building erected on a square measuring 20 by 20 meters. It was built in the early 5th century.

    Even in its present state of ruin it is an impressive structure. Retracing our footsteps to the theater we may now examine the ruins below the theater. Near the road is the Temple of Apollo, the principal deity of the city. While the foundations of this temple go back to late Hellenistic times, the present remains of the upper structure are from the 3rd century A.D. Next to it is a cave (called the Plutonion) from which poisonous gases emerge. (According to Strabo, an ox thrust into this cave would keel over and die.

    He himself experimented with doves.) The temple measures 20 by 15 meters and sat on a platform that was 2.5 meters high. Before the temple is a monumental fountain. Built during the late 3rd century A.D., the walls of this rectangular fountain are very well preserved. There was also a pool located before the fountain and the structure was richly adorned with statues and columns. The water for this fountain was brought here by aqueducts, remains of which may be seen in the vicinity of Guzelpinar and between Pamukkale and Karahayit.

    East of the present museum is a Christian basilica consisting of a nave and two aisles. It dates from the 6th century A.D. Walking along the route of the Plateia (which now passes through the modern swimming pool and motel) reminds us that this main street dividing the ancient city was once decorated with colonnades, porticos, and important buildings located on either side. The street runs directly toward the city walls passing through a gateway built in Byzantine times atop an earlier fountain.

    On the way is a basilical structure with two aisles and a nave whose eastern end terminates in an apse. The city walls were built in 396 A.D. and were reinforced by twenty-eight towers. Passing through Byzantine gate we come to a rather well preserved section of the Plateia. This part was built during the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) and terminates with the Arch of Domitian. This monumental gateway was actually erected by Julius Frontinus, who was proconsul of the Roman province of Asia (middle western Anatolia) in 82 and 83 A.D., and dedicated to the emperor.

    The gate has two round towers and three portals. Excavations are now in progress to reveal the remains of shops and houses that once lined both sides of this street. Northeast of the street between the Byzantine and Domitian gates was the agora of ancient Hierapolis. The traces of the city’s original theater may be seen above. As we follow the road in the direction of the necropolis we pass by the imposing walls of a building originally erected as baths around the end of the 2nd century A.D.

    It was converted to a church in the 5th century. The huge necropolis of Hierapolis spreads out on either side of the road for a distance of two kilometers. It contains tumuli, sarcophagi, and house-shaped tombs that range in date from the late Hellenistic period to early Christian times. It is one of the most extensive and best preserved ancient cemeteries in Anatolia and a stroll through it leaves a deep and mystical impression upon the visitor, particularly on a moonlit night. The road proceeds on to the hot springs of Karahayit located 4 kilometers away.

  • Ancient City of Tripolis, Denizli

    It is 40 km to the north of Denizli City centre. It is established in the east of Yenicekent Town of Buldan District, on the slopes between the Buyuk Menderes River and the town. It is connected to both the Aegean shores and to Inner Anatolia and the Mediterranean with Buyuk Menderes plain opening towards thewest. The city is 30 km to its peer Laodikeia, which is established on Curuksu Valley in the south of it and 20 km to Hierapolis. Tripolis are one of the border, trade and agriculture centres providing transportation to Karya and Phrygia regions in Lidia region.

    Its establishment type and city understanding makes it one of the richest cities of the region. Tripoli is estimated to be established in the Lidian Period. There is no historical information relating to the Lidian, Persian and Hellenistic Periods, yet. No ruins from these periods were encountered, either. The ruins of the city have theRoman and Byzantine Period character in terms of style. Best samples of the monumental buildings are constructed in the1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. In accordance with Pliny, another name of the city is Apollonia.

    The names of goddess Leto, the Letoia Phthia games and the Menderes River exist on the coins. Tripolis and its surroundings has been the scene for many earthquakes and wars in the history. The name of Tripolis, being called in the list of Lidian Bishops list show that it was a city in bishopric level.

    The Buildings of Tripolis

    A Theatre
    It is in the city centre. It is constructed as a Greek theatre in the Roman style in compliance with the land. All of its parts are destroyed. It had a capacity of approximately 10.000 persons.

    A Bath
    It is approximately 200 m west of the theatre. It is outside the city walls. Its external walls are partially strong. The vaulted and arched internal parts are destroyed. Its parts can be determined. There are great niches in the thick walls.

    A City Building
    it is approximately 150 m to the south of the bath. Only the base of it exists.

    A Fort and City Walls
    Tripolis has been surrounded with city walls and fort in theLate Roman and Byzantine Periods. The walls of the city, which is established on a sloped land, are supported with towers, watch towers and thick walls. The wall continuing next to the theatre combines with the tower at the highest hill in the north of the city. The tower is aimed for both defence and watching the approaching enemy danger.

    A Necropolis
    It is on the eastern and southern slopes of the hill. Here, there are rock graves, podium – graves and sarcophagi.

  • Ancient City of Arycanda, Antalya

    This mountain town in the Lycian region was built on terraces opening onto the steep and rocky slopes of a high hill. After successful excavations and restoration work carried out in recent years by Turkish archaeologists, a beautiful town has emerged, with a well organized plan that gives the appearance of an architectural model. The “nd” in the name “Arycanda” provides linguistic evidence that the city’s past goes back as far as the third century B.C. The oldest existing textual references date to before the fifth century B.C.

    From what we have learned from coins of the Lycian League type that have been recovered, Arycanda lies within the general historical currents of the Lycian region and was one of the twenty three cities bound to the League. Arycanda’s principal official buildings, which are not enclosed by city walls, are situated on terraces. A stadium in the form of a running track is located on the uppermost terrace. Measuring 106 m. long and 17 m. wide, it is much smaller than the norm. A few step like seats on its north side are all that remain of the stadium.

    On a lower terrace is a small but rather well preserved theatre of Greek plan. The cavea section, which lies in the natural slope of the land, consists of twenty rows of seats. At the edge of every row are holes for awnings which unfurled to protect the spectators from rain and sun. The stage building appears to be of separate construction, with architectural features that date it to theArykanda second century A.D.

    On the terrace below this theatre is a second century A.D. odeon with a long mosaic-floored portico. Almost square in plan, the odeon is an extremely ornate building with its orchestra, seats, and walls all faced in coloured marble.

    From the south it opens onto the portico in front via three large doors. To the front of the odeon is the city’s wide, flat agora enclosed on three sides by a portico. On the north west slopes of the city at the west end of the 137 m long stoa lies the bouleuterion, the building in which the people’s assemblies met. Inside the building, which Arykanda theatre is set into a slope, rows of seats for the members of the assemblies are cut into living rock. Vote chits made of fired clay, which, according to the number of holes piercing them, indicated “yes”, “no”, and “abstain”, were unearthed during excavations in the bouleuterion.

    They provide the best possible proof of the existence of democratic government hundreds of years ago. Other ruins worth seeing are vaulted tombs constructed to temple plan and with podiums, which are found in the necropolis of the theatre. Southeast of the eastern necropolis are the remains of a large complex consisting of a gymnasium and a spacious four chamber bath.