History Aspendos

aspendos theatre upper gallery

aspendos ancient city in pamphylia, asia minor, located 40 km east of modern city of antalya, turkey. situated on eurymedon river 16 km inland mediterranean sea; shared border with, , hostile to, side.

some scholars associate city s name azatiwadaya . known city of name founded azatiwada of quwê on eastern frontier, @ karatepe. according later tradition, aspendos founded rather earlier greeks may have come argos.

the wide range of coinage throughout ancient world indicates that, in 5th century bc, aspendos had become important city in pamphylia. @ time eurymedon river navigable far aspendos, , city derived great wealth trade in salt, oil , wool.

aspendos did not play important role in antiquity political force. political history during colonisation period corresponded currents of pamphylian region. within trend, after colonial period, remained time under lycian hegemony. in 546 bc came under persian domination. fact city continued mint coins in own name, however, indicates had great deal of freedom under persians.

circa 465 bce cimon led athenian navy against persian navy in battle of eurymedon, , destroyed it. aspendos became member of delian league.

aqueduct of aspendos

the persians captured city again in 411 bc , used base. in 389 bc thrasybulus of athens, in effort regain of prestige city had lost in peloponnesian wars, anchored off coast of aspendos in effort secure surrender. hoping avoid new war, people of aspendos collected money among , gave commander, entreating him retreat without causing damage. though took money, had men trample crops in fields. enraged, aspendians stabbed , killed thrasybulus in tent.

when alexander great marched aspendos in 333 bc after capturing perge, citizens sent envoys asking him not garrison soldiers there. agreed, provided given taxes , horses had formerly paid tribute persian king. after reaching agreement alexander went side, leaving garrison there on city s surrender. going through sillyon, learned aspendians had failed ratify agreement envoys had proposed , preparing defend themselves. alexander marched city immediately. when saw alexander returning troops, aspendians, had retreated acropolis, again sent envoys sue peace. time, however, had agree harsh terms; macedonian garrison remain in city , 100 gold talents 4,000 horses given in tax annually.

in 190 bc city surrendered romans, later pillaged artistic treasures. toward end of roman period city began decline continued throughout byzantine times.