September 24, 2016
Just a short bus ride from Denizli is the ancient city of Laodicea. Established between 263 and 261 BC, the city was built on the river Lycus. It was located in the Hellenistic regions of Caria and Lydia, which later became the Roman Province of Phrygia Pacatiana.
Laodicea contained one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
The main road with its ruts from thousands of years of carts moving down the street
Towards the end of the Roman Republic and under the first emperors, Laodicea became one of the most important and flourishing commercial cities of Asia Minor, it served as a major financial center and had a large trade in black wool.
This is the West Theater. It functioned from the Hellenistic period through to the big earthquake of 602-610
The area often suffered from earthquakes, and Laodicea was completely destroyed in a major quake during the reign of Nero (60 AD), as was its sister city up the hill Hierapolis.
This is the north theater, and was built when the town grew to big for the West Theater. Built in the 2nd century AD it could hold about 12,000 people. It stayed in use until the 7th century
Unlike Hierapolis, Laodicea rebuilt on her own funds after the great quake and became a Roman Free City. The city was eventually destroyed during the invasions of the Turks and Mongols.
The ruins are well preserved and as of 2012 are being substantially renovated. The site also continues to be an active dig.
The site is still an active dig, as can be witnessed by the stockpiling of materials as they are found
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This is possibly a game board, similar to chess
Mosaics are also being uncovered.
Repair of marble columns so they can be placed in-situ
The Temple
A marble patterned floor
