Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:51 AM Sayfa
The Theater of Hierapolis, 2 nd century AD.
of this temple go back to late Hellenistic times, the present remains of
the upper structure are from the 3 rd century AD. Next to it is a cave called
the Plutonion from which poisonous gases emerge. (According to Strabo,
an ox thrust into this cave would keel over and die. He himself
experimented with doves.) The temple measures 20 by 15 m. and sat on
a platform that was 2.5 m. high. In front of the temple is a monumental
fountain. Built during the late 3 rd century AD, the walls of this
rectangular fountain are very well preserved.
There was once a pool located in front of the fountain and the structure
was richly adorned with statues and columns. East of the present
museum is a Christian basilica consisting of a nave and two aisles. It dates
from the 6 th century AD. Walking along the route of the Plateia (which
now passes through the modern swimming pool and a motel) reminds
one that this main street dividing the ancient city was once decorated
with colonnades, porticos, and important buildings located on either side.
The street runs directly toward the city walls passing through a gateway
built in Byzantine times atop an earlier fountain. On the way is a basilical
structure with two aisles and a nave whose eastern end terminates in an
apse. The city walls were built in 396 AD and were reinforced by
twenty-eight towers. Passing through the Byzantine gate we come to a
rather well-preserved section of the Plateia. This part was built during the
reign of Domitian (81-96 AD) and terminates with the Arch of Domitian.
This monumental gateway was actually erected by Julius Frontinus, who
was proconsul of the Roman province of Asia in 82 and 83 AD, and it was
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