Aspendos was an ancient Greco-Roman city in Antalya province of Turkey. It is located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of central Serik.
Aspendos was an ancient city in Pamphylia, Asia Minor, located about 40 km east of the modern city of Antalya, Turkey. It was situated on the Eurymedon River about 16 km inland from the Mediterranean Sea; it shared a border with, and was hostile to, Side. According to later tradition, the (originally non-Greek) city was founded around 1000 BC by Greeks who may have come from Argos. The wide range of its coinage throughout the ancient world indicates that, in the 5th century BC, Aspendos had become the most important city in Pamphylia. At that time the Eurymedon River was navigable as far as Aspendos, and the city derived great wealth from a trade in salt, oil, and wool.
Aspendos did not play an important role in antiquity as a political force. Its political history during the colonization period corresponded to the currents of the Pamphylian region. Within this trend, after the colonial period, it remained for a time under Lycian hegemony. In 546 B.C. it came under Persian domination. The face that the city continued to mint coins in its own name, however, indicates that it had a great deal of freedom even under the Persians.
In 467 B.C. the statesman and military commander Cimon, and his fleet of 200 ships, destroyed the Persian navy based at the mouth of the river Eurymedon in a surprise attack. In order to crush to Persian land forces, he tricked the Persians by sending his best fighters to shore wearing the garments of the hostages he had seized earlier. When they saw these men, the Persians thought that they were compatriots freed by the enemy and arranged festivities in celebration. Taking advantage of this, Cimon landed and annihilated the Persians. Aspendos then became a member of the Attic-Delos Maritime league.
The Roman Theatre in Aspendos has been preserved remarkably well.
The Persians captured the city again in 411 B.C. and used it as a base. In 389 B.C. the commander of Athens, in an effort to regain some of the prestige that city had lost in the Peloponnesian Wars, anchored off the coast of Aspendos in an effort to secure its surrender. Hoping to avoid a new war, the people of Aspendos collected money among themselves and gave it to the commander, entreating him to retreat without causing any damage. Even though he took the money, he had his men trample all the crops in the fields. Enraged, the Aspendians stabbed and killed the Athenian commander in his tent.
When Alexander the Great marched into Aspendos in 333 B.C. after capturing Perge, the citizens sent envoys to him to request that he would not establish that he be given the taxes and horses that they had formerly paid as tribute to the Persian king. After reaching this agreement. Alexander went to Side, leaving a garrison there on the city’s surrender. Going back through Sillyon, he learned that the Aspendians had failed to ratify the agreement their envoys had proposed and were preparing to defend themselves. Alexander marched to the city immediately. When they saw Alexander returning with his troops, the Aspendians, who had retreated to their acropolis, again sent envoys to sue for peace. This time, however, they had to agree to very harsh terms; a Macedonian garrison would remain in the city and 100 gold talents as well as 4.000 horses would be given in tax annually.
In 190 BC the city surrendered to the Romans, who later pillaged it of its artistic treasures. Toward the end of the Roman period the city began a decline that continued throughout Byzantine times.
Aspendos,
If you like your ruins, these are well worth a visit. it's one of those places where you can feel incredibly sad at the downfall of an obviously advanced Civilisation. Not so sure how sensible it was building a whole town and Fort on top of an Earthquake zone, but there you go.
Quite a lot of it is still…
There is more to the Aspendos ruins than just the well-preserved theater. This was an unexpected surprise for me. Aspendos was the second site of three that I planned on visiting on Thanksgiving day. I did not know much about it other than it had the best-preserved theater in Turkey, so I told my driver to come back for me…
to see a construction so old so intact,accoustics brilliant and clear,u get a real feel for the theatres of ancient rome
What I especially like about Aspendos, which does indeed have one of the best preserved Roman theaters of ancient times, is that you can explore the entire structure from the bottom to the top. The entire complex is huge and includes other ruins and an aqueduct. Well worth a visit for history fans.
The drive from Antalya proper, if you…
Great place to visit. We had a guide so we did not miss anything.
The usual Romans in dress charging to have photographs taken with you.
Place to get a drink & Loo's and gift shop on site.
VERY HOT but well worth it. You can walk into the passages that run inside at the back, you can almost hear…
Although we were on an all inclusive, we hired a car for the day and made the drive. I was absolutely taken aback at how well preserved this is. We just loved it. Amazingly, they have shows here! On our next visit, we will be sure to book tickets in advance. Do take the time to visit, well worth the…
According to lonely planet, Aspendos supposedly has the best preserved roman theatre in the whole of Turkey (and possibly the world). Although I do have to agree that it is really well preserved, with most of the stones and architecture left intact, I do have to say that the position of Aspendos Theatre and the size of the theatre is…
It's marvellous to visit and experience what life was like in the 2nd century as you re able to walk the entire theatre and experience sounds and sites quite different to anywhere else.
It really an amazing well preserved site. I was not expecting to see this. I enjoyed it very much and would call it a don't miss if you visit Turkey. The climb to the top is with it.
Visited here a few months ago and climbed right up to the very top tear of this spectacular amphitheatre, the views are outstanding and you can really feel the atmosphere of ancient times.
This is really well preserved and the locals are very proud of it. Well worth a trip, but take plenty of sun lotion and a hat.