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Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

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ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:51 AM Sayfa<br />

Beginning of the 2 nd century BC Below, theater seen through the western<br />

parados (side entrance).<br />

unearthed indicating that he was worshipped here <strong>and</strong> there was also<br />

an inscription discovered declaring that only people wearing white<br />

would be admitted to the sacred precinct. On this basis it is assumed<br />

that this is the heroon of Alex<strong>and</strong>er referred to in the inscription. One<br />

block ahead of this house is a temenos that was dedicated to Kybele<br />

Following the street of steps leading south <strong>and</strong> down from the south<br />

western corner of the agora, we reach the Lower Gymnasion near the<br />

city wall. This consisted of a square sports area surrounded by four stoa<br />

<strong>and</strong> training salons to the north. The stadion is adjacent to the eastern<br />

side of the gymnasion <strong>and</strong> one part of it measuring 6 m. wide <strong>and</strong> 190<br />

m. long served as a promenade. Because of the lay of the l<strong>and</strong>, the<br />

spectators' seats are located only along one side. The stadion measures<br />

116 m. long <strong>and</strong> like many other structures is Priene it was most likely<br />

built around 130 BC. The Upper Gymnasion already referred to<br />

probably became too small as Priene grew <strong>and</strong> so this new facility had<br />

to be constructed several centuries later. During Roman times, some of<br />

its rooms were heated with hot air. Today Priene is much farther from<br />

the see than it was in its heyday. Like the inhabitants of ancient Priene<br />

let us gaze out over the green plains of the valley of the Menderes below<br />

the magnificent buildings of their city <strong>and</strong> proceed on our way.<br />

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