- Sardis lies in the territory of Lydia, at the foot of
the Tmolus Mountains and overlooking the Hermus River plain,
where evidence has been found of human activity as early
as the Palaeolithic period (ca. 50,000 B.C.). By the late
second millennium B.C., a modest community existed at the
foot of the acropolis. According to the ancient Greek historian
Herodotus, the "sons of Herakles" founded a dynasty
that remained in power for "505 years, son succeeding
father from generation to generation till the time of Candaules"
(from ca. 1185 to ca. 680 B.C.). By the early 7th century
B.C., Sardis was the capital of a growing empire, with a
distinct archaeological record.
- During the Mermnad dynasty (ca. 680-547 B.C.), the empire
reached its greatest geographical extent, stretching from
the Aegean Sea to central Anatolia. Herodotus credits the
Lydian kings with the invention of coinage and the construction
of the great royal burial mounds at Bin Tepe, some 6 miles
to the northwest of the acropolis. Kings Gyges and Croesus
were particularly renowned for lavish gifts dedicated in
Greek sanctuaries. In 547 B.C., Sardis was sacked by Cyrus
the Great and remained under Persian control until 334 B.C.,
when it was captured by Alexander the Great. The city continued
to flourish during Hellenistic and Roman times, when ambitious
construction projects were initiated, including the temple
of Artemis and bath-gymnasium complex. A section of the
bath-gymnasium complex was later remodeled to accommodate
a synagogue. This synagogue, now partially restored by the
Harvard-Cornell Expedition, is the largest early synagogue
yet excavated in the Mediterranean world.
- Sardis: The wealthy capital of the ancient Lydian Empire,
is one of the most amazing sites in Turkey. The unusual
rock formations in the nearby hills lend it a uniquely strange
atmosphere, and this curious pointed landscape shelters
hundreds of Lydian tombs, some dating back to 7th. century
BC. It is the Roman ruins of Sardis, excavated by New York
Univercity since 1958, that are particularly impressive
now, consisting of a road lined with shops, a gymnasium,
and the biggest open air synagogue in the world. There is
lovely marble throughout, as well as mozaic flooring. The
other part of the site is situated half a mile or so away,
around the most striking monument in Sardis, the Temple
of Artemis-Zeus. Of the original 82 columns only two remain
intact, with parts of 13 others still standing. The lonic
capitals on these columns are among the most beautiful known.
Sacrifices to the goddess were made on the altar located
at the top of the flight of steps.
- Thyatira : in the 1st.
and 2nd centuries AD when Christianity was spreading rapidly
Roman Emperors were ruthless against those first Christians.
Churches were destroyed ruined and Christianity prohibited.
Despite all the persecution, Christianity continued to spread
in Western Anatolia with the help and leadership of apostles
like St.John and St.Paul. Thyatira is now a modern city,
the ancicent remains of which include a temple, a collonaded
road, and a large church.
- Philadelphia : was important
as a place for spreading the thought patterns and activities
of Hellenistic civilization and the Christian faith. The
famous Church of Philadelphia and on the
lower sides of the city, thick Byzantine walls still remain.
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