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Aphrodisias

Alternative names:

Place description

The earliest settlement of Aphrodisias in the 6th or 5th millennium BC was marked by two prehistoric mounds. The settlements still remained small in size until the 2nd century BC. The name of the city firstly appeared in coins and inscriptions. During the 1st century AD, Aphrodisias was under the protection of Augustus. The city grew and became prosperous for a few centuries after that. Aphrodisias became more multicultural in characteristics, as was evident by the presence of an active Jewish community there. A famous inscription listed the names of the benefactors of a synagogue. The importance of the city continued into the late antiquity. During the unstable period between the late 6th and early 7th centuries AD, the city was once again reduced to village size. Its occupation continued until the 14th century but was abandoned after that. Aphrodisias was enclosed by a circuit of fortifications built during late Roman period and restored subsequently with reused materials from other buildings. A theatre was located at one of the prehistoric mound. A stadium was also built at the northern edge of the city and it was a part of the monumentalization program of the city during the 1st century AD. In Late Antiquity, a part of the structure was converted into an amphitheatre. The temple of Aphrodite was one of the most important monuments dedicated to Aphrodite, and the building stressed the link of the city to the Julio-Claudian dynasty. It was erected in the late Hellenistic period, but earlier buildings can be traced back to the 7th century BC. An elaborate temenos was built around the temple during the reign of Hadrian. A monumental entranceway was erected in the 2nd century AD. The temple was reconstructed as a Christian basilica in the late 5th century. The south of the temple’s temenos stood an odeion, which was decorated with mosaics and statuary. The north agora was surrounded by columns at all sides, whereas the south agora was an elongated and colonnaded piazza. There was a monumental basin in the centre. The Portico of Tiberius was located at the south of the north agora. Its west stood the baths of Hadrian which had the standard facilities of contemporary Roman baths. At the west of the odeion, there was also an elaborate complex of halls and rooms which had a triconch and a peristyle. It might have been the residence for the bishop of the city. Another luxurious residence was also uncovered and it might have been the residence of officials during the Byzantine period. A Roman basilica south of the theatre was also converted into a church.

Passages - Flavius Josephus