Termessos

The Ancient City of Termessos is an important ancient city founded by the Solyms, descended from the Luvians, one of the oldest peoples of Anatolia, in the valley between the peaks of Solymos Mountain, now called “Güllük,” in the southwestern part of the Pisidia Region known as “Milyas.” It is one of the most striking ancient sites preserved within a forest and is located within the National Park of the same name. The ruins on Güllük Mountain can be reached by a private road climbing left from the 24th kilometre of the Antalya-Korkuteli highway. The city entered the stage of history when Alexander the Great besieged it in 333 B.C. and the people of Termessos mounted a strong defense and did not surrender the city. After Alexander’s death, the city was taken by the Ptolemies. In 189 B.C., the people of Termessos, who had seized the neighboring city of Isinda, were punished by Manlius Vulso, Commander of the Roman Forces in Anatolia, upon the complaint of the people of Isinda. Most probably, around the same dates, there was also a war between Termessos and the Lycian League. In 71 B.C., it was also accepted and ratified by the Roman senate that Termessos, which had “friendship and alliance” with Rome, was independent in its affairs and would make its own laws.

It is known that from 36 to 25 B.C., Amyntas of Galatia ruled Termessos as well as the other cities of Pisidia. In the Roman Imperial period, it is understood from the coins it minted that the city preserved its independence. There is no information whatsoever about the condition of the city in the Byzantine period and later eras. After the city of Termessos was abandoned, it did not witness a new settlement and, apart from earthquake and natural destruction, it can be shown as one of the quite solid and well-preserved ancient sites. The ruins of the city begin with the Hellenistic Period wall near Yenicekahve on the Antalya-Korkuteli highway and continue up to the summit of Güllük Mountain. When the path climbing to the city is followed after the parking lot, the steps and monumental entrance of the Ionic-order temple built in the reign of Emperor Hadrian are encountered on the right. If one continues climbing south from the area where the lower city walls and the water source are located, the Gymnasium, whose first floor has survived in places, is reached on the left. To the southwest of the structure, which consists of many rooms and halls, there is a colonnaded street with shops behind it. Very close by, channels showing the excellence of the sewer network can still be seen. When the plain is reached, on the left of the path leading to the forest observation point, one arrives at the area where many of the city’s official buildings are located. The first ruin on the plain belongs to the agora. The portico or stoa to its west was built in the time of Attalos II (159–138 B.C.) and is in the Doric order. To the east of the agora is the theatre, leaning against the slope and positioned so that it can see the Gulf of Antalya. Approximately 100 metres southwest of the theatre stands the council building, preserved up to roof height. On the plain east of the agora, 5 interconnected cisterns are unique in terms of depth and width. In the southwest of the city are the remains of an extraordinarily beautiful Roman-type villa called the “Founder’s House.” The structure, whose façade wall is in the Doric order and reaches a height of 6 m, takes the name “Founder’s House” because of the inscription on the left side of its door.

Termessos has a large number of temples and very extensive necropolis areas. The variety and decoration of its tombs are quite rich. Among these, the tomb of Alketas (319 B.C.), one of the important commanders of the period of Alexander the Great, and others are also important in terms of shedding light on the city’s history. Alongside the monumental tombs, a large number of sarcophagi with shield motifs depicting their warrior character occupy a very large area in the necropolis. The most interesting work from Termessos in Antalya Museum is the “Dog Sarcophagus” exhibited in the “Hall of Sarcophagi.” The poetic inscription written by its mistress for the dog named Stefanos carries special importance for being unique.

Source: "Termessos" Dünden Bugüne Antalya [II. Cilt], Antalya İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü (2012)

Places to Visit in Antalya Address: Termessos, Döeşemealtı / Antalya