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Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_3736.jpg , Wikipedia
There is an area, shortly behind the upper city walls, that is called "colonnaded street". Some may say it is an utter mess, others may hold it is a romantic spot full of surprises. If you don't mind risking sprained ankles there are many fine fragments. At its edge stands this structure.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Alcetas_grave_7223.jpg , Wikipedia
The grave of Alketas. He was an infantry-general who’s brother, Perdiccas, figured in wars that broke out after the death of Alexander the Great (Wars of the Diadochi). This brother was murdered by this officers at the river Nile, and Alketas was declared an outlaw. He had esxcaped with his troops to Termessos, and though there was disagreement between younger and elder factions if handing him over to Antigonus was acceptable he committed suicide. The youngers’ faction put him in a grave within the city. It has been damaged by grave robbers and treasure hunters, some parts remain.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Alcetas_grave_7230.jpg , Wikipedia
The grave site of Alketas. He was an infantry-general who’s brother, Perdiccas, figured in wars that broke out after the death of Alexander the Great (Wars of the Diadochi). This brother was murdered by this officers at the river Nile, and Alketas was declared an outlaw. He had esxcaped with his troops to Termessos, and though there was disagreement between younger and elder factions if handing him over to Antigonus was acceptable he committed suicide. The youngers’ faction put him in a grave within the city. It has been damaged by grave robbers and treasure hunters, some parts remain.
The horseman is to the left, this is the place of the actual burial, but heavily destroyed.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Gymnasium_3331.jpg , Wikipedia
The buildings of a gymnasium and bath are among the most impressive in Termessos. Much is overgrown, but the front has been cleared and is architecturally interesting.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Gymnasium_3600.jpg , Wikipedia
The buildings of a gymnasium and bath are among the most impressive in Termessos. Much is overgrown, but the front has been cleared and is architecturally interesting.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Gymnasium_3606.jpg , Wikipedia
The buildings of a gymnasium and bath are among the most impressive in Termessos. Much is overgrown, but the front has been cleared and is architecturally interesting.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Hadrian_Temple_3485.jpg , Wikipedia
At the Temple of Hadrian in Termessos. The most visible remains are its raised platform and two columns with a piece of stone on top, probably the entrance. I wonder if this is the "Hadrian's Triumphal arch" that I read about in the Wikipedia. If so, the Wikipedia is wrong.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Hadrian_Temple_3552.jpg , Wikipedia
At the Temple of Hadrian in Termessos. The most visible remains are its raised platform and two columns with a piece of stone on top, probably the entrance. I wonder if this is the "Hadrian's Triumphal arch" that I read about in the Wikipedia. If so, the Wikipedia is wrong.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Odeon_3704.jpg , Wikipedia
To the left the 10 meters high walls of the Odeon aka Bouleuterion. To the right the entrance of the Artemis temple. One of four temples to the southeast of the agora. The Artemis temple was built in the 3rd century by Aurelia Amasta with a 5,5 x 5,5 meters cella. A sign in front of a large well-preserved wall one can see from the agora indicates it is "The bouleuterium odeum", however, the same sign in Turkish calls it a "Kapalı toplantı yeri": a closed meeting place. Behind the hall is an open space, are some stairs, it's rather well preserved, but I could not conclude if this was a space for performances (an odeon) or "political" meeting (bouleuterion).
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Odeon_3706.jpg , Wikipedia
A flight of stairs to get in the building. A sign in front of a large well-preserved wall one can see from the agora indicates it is "The bouleuterium odeum", however, the same sign in Turkish calls it a "Kapalı toplantı yeri": a closed meeting place. Behind the hall is an open space, are some stairs, it's rather well preserved, but I could not conclude if this was a space for performances (an odeon) or "political" meeting (bouleuterion).
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Theatre_3468.jpg , Wikipedia
theatre is well-preserved and faces a valley in the southeast. Its structure is a mixture: Hellenistic in the seating area (extending sides over half a circle), Roman in the stage structure. Its seating parts leans into a hill, reinforced by retaining walls. The lower area has 19 rows, with 7 radial stairways. The higher part has 9 rows and 13 stairways. The total capacity is 4300.
The stage building (i.e. skene) is separated from the auditorium by open passages. There are no vaulted substructures, characteristic for later, Roman theatres. It was built in the Hellenistic period (323 to 31 BC). In the Roman period, in the 2nd century AD, the theater underwent significant alternations, with particular emphasis on skene and proscenium.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Theatre_Panorama2.jpg , Wikipedia
theatre is well-preserved and faces a valley in the southeast. Its structure is a mixture: Hellenistic in the seating area (extending sides over half a circle), Roman in the stage structure. Its seating parts leans into a hill, reinforced by retaining walls. The lower area has 19 rows, with 7 radial stairways. The higher part has 9 rows and 13 stairways. The total capacity is 4300.
The stage building (i.e. skene) is separated from the auditorium by open passages. There are no vaulted substructures, characteristic for later, Roman theatres. It was built in the Hellenistic period (323 to 31 BC). In the Roman period, in the 2nd century AD, the theater underwent significant alternations, with particular emphasis on skene and proscenium.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Upper_city_wall_3342.jpg , Wikipedia
Most of the sights can be visited once you have reached this height. There is a lower defensive wall at the start of climb along the 400 meters of the Kings Road. The Colonnaded street (or what's left of it) lies almost immediately behind the wall, to the left one first would pass the gymnasium, later the theatre, agora, odeon and such.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Upper_city_wall_3608.jpg , Wikipedia
Most of the sights can be visited once you have reached this height. There is a lower defensive wall at the start of climb along the 400 meters of the Kings Road. The Colonnaded street (or what's left of it) lies almost immediately behind the wall, to the left one first would pass the gymnasium, later the theatre, agora, odeon and such.
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_Upper_city_wall_7212.jpg , Wikipedia
Along the higher parts of the King's Road one will see to the left high defensive walls. This is the point where they reach the area of the colonnaded street (in our back) and the road to the gymnasium (part of which is visible).
Attribution: Dosseman, with CC BY-SA 4.0 license, original file:Termessos_rock_graves_3481.jpg , Wikipedia
Most visitors will go up and down the same, rather easy road. However, there is another way down, along it are several sarcophagi and rock graves, these are the more impressive ones.
Attribution: Saffron Blaze, with CC BY-SA 3.0 license, original file:Termessos_tomb_with-a-view.jpg , Wikipedia
Termessos, Antalya Turkey, a Pisidian city built at an altitude of more than 1000 meters. What is known of the history commences principally at the time that Alexander the Great surrounded the city in 333 BC, which he likened to an eagle's nest and failed to conquer.
