Apollonia (Lycia)
Apollonia (Ancient Greek: Ἀπολλωνία) was a city in ancient Lycia. Its ruins are located near Kiliçli (Sıçak), a small village in the Kaş district of Antalya Province, Turkey.
Ἀπολλωνία | |
Shown within Turkey | |
Location | Kiliçli, Antalya Province, Turkey |
---|---|
Region | Lycia |
Coordinates | 36°11′12″N 29°45′50″E |
Type | Settlement |
Part of | Mysian |
History
The city isn't mentioned by any ancient author. The pillar tombs in the necropolis to the north of the city attest to a Lycian origin of the settlement and date to about 500 BC.[1]
In Roman times the city was part of a local federation, a sympoliteia, with Simena, Isinda and Aperlae. Aperlae was the leader of the sympolity, which was represented in the Lycian League with one vote.[2]
The ruins of a Byzantine church possibly date to the 6th or 7th century AD, so the city was still occupied at that time.[3]
Layout
The city is located on a hill and has a walled acropolis at its highest elevation. In the east the acropolis seems to be double because a much older stockade is located inside the Byzantine walls.[3] Two churches, a theater, baths with cisterns and a heroon are found on the western and northwestern side of the acropolis. Houses were built on the southwestern side.[1] Six pillar tombs and one larger monument are found around the acropolis.[2]
References
- Marksteiner, Thomas (2010). Lykien: Ein archäologischer Führer (in German). Phoibos Verlag. pp. 123–126. ISBN 978-3-85161-029-1.
- Keen, Anthony G. (1998). Dynastic Lycia: A Political History of the Lycians & Their Relations with Foreign Powers, c. 545-362 BC. Leiden: Brill. pp. 54–55. ISBN 9789004109568.
- Dubin, Marc S.; Gawthrop, John; Richardson, Terry, eds. (2003). The Rough Guide to Turkey. New York City, New York: Rough Guides. p. 509. ISBN 9781843530718.