Aspendos, Turkey

Aspendos, It is and ancient city, located within boundaries of Antalya Province and in the eastern direction. According to ancient sources, Aspendos city is established by colonist from Argos, who come here under the leadership of Mopsos. Aspendos city mints the silver coins for its own name in B.C. 5th Century and becomes member of Maritime Union of Athens. City, entering under Alexander the Great rule in B.C. 334, is ruled by Roma through succession upon death of III. Attalos in B.C. 133. Aspendos city also survives as a rich city in Roman period. All of the remains, located in Aspendos, belong to Roman Period and after Roman Period. Theatre building in the city belongs to Roman Empire Age. It is constructed during the period of emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180) in A.D. 2nd Century. Theatre has a half round plan. Zenon is the architect of the building. This splendid building is the theatre, which reaches today from ancient age and is protected in the best manner. As structure is used as palace in Anatolian Seljuk period, it is protected very well.

Theatre has capacity for Fifteen thousand people and although it is leaning on a hill, seats are placed on cradle vaults. Gallery with cloisters, located in the backmost, is added subsequently. Stage building is multistoried and decorated with sculptures. It is stated in Greek and Latin epigraphs, located on the entrance (parados) sections in both sides of stage building that two siblings named as Crispinus and Auspicatus consecrate the theatre in honor of gods of country and emperor family. Theatre undergoes repair substantially. Theatre, which is also open for public visits in these days, becomes the place of social, cultural and artistic activites, opera and ballet festivals from time to time.

Besides famous theatre structure in Aspendos ancient city, city gates, agora, basilica (administration building), porch, bouleuterion (city assembly building), nymphaion (fountain), aqueducts, bath, gymnasium,stadium, belonging to Roman Period, are some old structure remains,located in the ancient city. Necropolis of the city is located at the east side of the acropolis. Moreover, bridge of Anatolian Seljuk period on Köprüçayı, is one of the extant structures in good condition.

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