Phaselis: Between Mountains and Sea [7:11]

Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim

Transcript

Introduction

Batalis grew up around one of the few good anchorages on the east coast of Lissia. A substantial settlement by the 6th century BC, it was successfully incorporated into the Dian League, the realm of Mouselus and the Empire of Alexander. It was impoverished by pirate attacks in the 1st century BC but recovered under Roman imperial rule when most of the extant structures were built. The ruins have been partially cleared but never comprehensively excavated. As we approach the city, the most conspicuous remains belong to the aqueduct that carried water from a hillside spring into the city center. In this section, the water channel on top is still fairly well preserved.

Central Harbor

The aqueduct runs off behind us. And here just ahead is one of Phaselis’ three harbors. This was the central harbor, and most of what’s now visible today dates to the Byzantine period. In that time, imperial galleys routinely docked here, and a chain may have been stretched across the entrance to prevent enemy ships from entering. Another look at the Byzantine central harbor. As you can see, parts of the ancient breakwater still survive beneath the waves.

Main Street and Agoras

The center of Phaselis was a broad street lined in places with cowanades. Together with its raised sidewalks, it was up to 70 ft wide. Though overbuilt in the Byzantine era, the buildings on either side date mostly to the first and second centuries. Here were the city’s agoras, its centers of commerce and politics. Now largely overgrown, Roman Phaselis was a thriving trade hub noted for dealing in dates, timber from the mountains, and a local rose-based unduant noted for its medicinal properties. The statue bases that lined the street once carried bronze likenesses of local worthies. You can see similar bases at Ephesus and many other Roman cities in Asia Minor. Behind them, shaded by the cowanades, were shops.

Here’s one example. Just off the main street are the remains of a late antique Roman bath. You can see the telltale hypocaust system just ahead of us. A few traces of plaster still cling to the stones above. Everyone loves Roman latrines, especially intestinal parasites. And here we have a pretty big one. You can imagine the seats lined along the walls with their trademark keyhole seats. And here in the center of the room, part of the rough mosaic pavement is still preserved. We’re now looking down the main street. The small structure to the right was another Roman bath. This space was one of Phaselis’ three agoras. The other two, as mentioned earlier, lay off the main street ahead. Note how the marble doorway of that monumental structure contrasts with the local conglomerate stone.

Theater

The theater, which dates to the Roman imperial era, had about 1,500 seats, only about 120th the number that the great theater of Ephesus could accommodate. The stage building is largely preserved, though the wooden stage itself has, of course, vanished. The theater was fortified in the Byzantine era. Later, still, houses were built inside. The highlight today is the majestic mountain view behind it. One more look at that wonderful mountain view. And now back down to the sea. A closer look at the stage building. You have to imagine a two-story skynet frame made to resemble the facade of a palace. Turning now for an actor’s view of the seats. Now we continue along the main street lined here by well-constructed shops toward the Gate of Hadrian.

Gate of Hadrian

Like the neighboring city of Antalya, Phaselis built a gate to commemorate the visit of Hadrian in 131. Parts of the marble superstructure, as well as the inscription which hailed Hadrian as savior and benefactor, still survive. We can imagine the emperor and his entourage advancing down the main street, crowds on either side cheering and chanting acclamations as the ruler of the world entered the city of Phaselis.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.