Aspendos Ancient City – Serik, Antalya
Aspendos is renowned for housing the best-preserved Roman theatre not only in Anatolia but in the entire Mediterranean world. One of the wealthiest cities of the Pamphylia region, Aspendos was connected to the sea via the Eurymedon (Köprüçay) River, making it a vital trade center. It was one of the first Anatolian cities to mint its own silver coins in the 5th century BC.
History According to legend, it was founded by colonists led by Mopsus after the Trojan War. Throughout history, it fell under Persian, Hellenistic (Alexander the Great), Roman, and Byzantine rule. It experienced its golden age during the Roman Empire. Used by the Seljuks as a caravanserai and repaired during their reign, the theatre has survived intact to the present day.
Key Structures
- Ancient Theatre: Built in the 2nd century AD by the architect Zenon during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It has a capacity of approximately 15,000–20,000 people. The stage building (skene) stands almost at its original height. It is famous for its perfect acoustics; the sound of a coin dropped in the center of the stage can be heard from the top row.
- Aqueducts: This system, dating to the 2nd century AD, brought water from the northern mountains and is considered a pinnacle of ancient engineering. The system, about 1 km long, features hydraulic siphons to regulate water pressure, a rare technique in the ancient world.
- Basilica and Agora: On the hill behind the theatre (the acropolis) lie the ruins of the agora (administrative and commercial center), council house (bouleuterion), monumental fountain (nymphaeum), and basilica.
Notes The Aspendos Theatre still hosts events today, such as the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival.
Sources
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism – Aspendos
- UNESCO Tentative List
- Wikipedia – Aspendos