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,
This theatre was very well preserved and was beautiful. I highly recommend taking a tour here as well as to Perge. It made a perfect day trip.
Turkey is too modest about her national heritage. Maybe because these are all left from Greco Roman empire and not Ottomans. Aspendos is a treasure for everyone to see and realize how great and powerful the Greco Roman empire once was. Having been built on the side of a hill It's beautifully preserved. The admission is with it.
Beautifully preserved. On the outside you don't expect very much, but once you go inside….. Very impressive when you enter the stage, the orchestra with place for 500 musicians. And then you see that perfect semi-circle where in 2009 they put in 15.000 people to see the musical Fire of Anatolia. Wish I was there then. It is not that…
Aspendos is a very beautiful antique theater a bit outside of Antalya. When we visited the place there were very few tourists so we really enjoyed our stay there. When you arrive the theater ifself is just at your left hand side but allow yourself to walk up to the right side to discover some other interesting ruins that are…
This is an amazing ancient theatre, it is still function at these day, the theatre is well preserved, we were sit under the sun appreciating the setting, it is just amazing.
We will love to go back next summer when they have concerts in this theatre.
This is the best preserved theatre I have ever seen (they say it is the best in general).
The theatre itself is amazing, but also, the upper city (the ruins above the theatre) are nice.
Particularly the main street in the ruins.
Make sure you climb on the "Theatre hill" as from there you can really have a nice view…
This amphitheatre really is quite amazing as it is almost totally intact. Considerably smaller than the Colliseum (Rome) but its size is also part of its charm. Some of the detail on the stonework is incredrible. If you only see one thing on your trip to this area, I would definitely recommend this – more than worth it.
Best theatre we have ever seen, definitely worth a visit
Aspendos is , the theater, the ruins, brilliant day out. Whilst walking around the ruins we met an old Turkish lady who was selling jewellery, which was nice but I did not want to buy, she gave us an orange each and she gave me an evil eye necklace which I still have and was very sweet. We were hear…
For anyone who loves ancient sites how about the best preserved Roman theatre in Turkey going back to the time of Marcus Aurelius? Used today for concerts, it is in amazing condition for its age. Be very careful climbing the steps to the seats but try and get to the top for a fabulous view. The carvings are excellent -…