Aspendos

The city, founded by colonists who came from Argos, has the best-preserved ancient theater in Turkey. This world-famous theater, dedicated to Emperor Markus Aurelius, is without doubt one of the most magnificent Roman buildings in Pamphylia and it is still useable today with a seating capacity of 20,000 people. Coins minted in the 4th and 5th centuries B.C. give the city’s name as Estwediya. Aspendos had the distinction of being the only city besides Side that coined money in its own name at that early period. The city includes also a Stadium and a Gymnasium as well as Baths, Fountains, and magnificent Aqueducts.

Aspendos lies 44 kilometres (27 miles) east of Antalya. According to ancient sources the city was established By the well-known seers Calchas and Mophos during their retreat from the battle in Troj. In the 6th century B.C. the Lydians reigned here until they were defeated by the Persians. Until 425 B.C. Aspendos was a member of Delian Sea Confederacy. In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great came to Pamphylia. The Aspendians requested him through an envoy not to occupy the city and offered him 50 gold talents and thousands of horses. The Aspendians did not keep their promise and Aleander invaded the city. He meted out punishments, causing them to pay 50 talents and an annual tribute.

In 190 B.C. Aspendos was Pergamonian then it fell into the hands of the Romans like its neighbouring cities, and had its heyday at this time. Most of the huge buildings of the city date back from that period. It ranked amongst the most important ports and cities in the Byzantine centralization system till the decline of the city.

The architect Zenon built the well-preserved theatre of the ancient world in the 2nd century A.D. during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, from Aspendos. The auditorium had a semicircular from and a diameter of 95 metres (285 feet), and it has been preserved including even its upper gallery. 20,000 spectators could find a place here. The higher rows of seats where manes were scratched were preserved for the upper classes. The well-preserved scena building was 30 metres (90 feet) high. Under the scena there were five gates, through which steep stairways at each side-facilitated access to the tiers from the arena. The scena wall was connected to the auditorium through a wooden roof an achieve better acoustics, Over the centuries the marble covering of the scena wall has been lost. From the columns and statues, only socles and bases are now left.
The stadium with a length of 220 metres (660 feet) and a width of 30 metres (90 feet), was situated to the north of theatre. Most of the seats have been damaged.

The Aqueduct, It is 1 kilometre away from the ruined city. It is a good example of the water construction technique of the Romans. The water was conducted to the upper city through this aqueduct using the principle of communicating pipes.

Situated a little way off the Antalya - Alanya main road just after Serik the city of Aspendos dates back to the 5th century BC. This extremely well preserved Roman amphitheatre, which was built around the 2nd century AD, was later used by the Seljuks as a caravanserai. With a seating capacity of over 17 000 it is still used today to host spectacular concerts, ballets and other significant events. The 10 mile long pressurised aqueduct you can see running along side Adpendos is a feat of Roman engineering.